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THE 


AGE    OF    FABLE; 


OB, 


STORIES  OF  GODS  AND  HEROES. 


THOMAS    BULFINCH. 


0,  ye  delicious  fables !  where  the  ware 

And  woods  were  people<l,  and  the  air,  with  things 
So  lovely  I  why,  all  I  why  has  science  grave 

Scattered  afar  your  sweet  imaginings  ? 

Sarry  Cornwall 


BOSTON: 

SANBORN,    CARTER,    AND    BAZIN. 

185  5. 


Enterod  according  to  Act  of  Congress  In  the  year  1855,  by 

THOMAS  BULFINCn, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachuaotta. 


CAMBRIDGE : 
ALLEN   &  FAUNIIAM,    PRINTERS. 


BTEKEOTTPED     AT     THE 
BOSTON    BTEBEOTTPE    FOUNDBT. 


TO 


HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFELLOW, 


THE    POET    ALIKE    OF    THE    MANY    AND    OF    THE    FEW. 


THIS    ATTEMPT    TO    POPULARIZE 


MYTHOLOGY, 


AND  EXTEND  THE  ENJOYMENT  OF  ELEGANT  LITERATUHE, 


18    RESPECTFULLY    INSCRIBED. 


PEEEACE. 


If  no  other  knowledge  deserves  to  be  called  useful  but  that 
which  helps  to  enlarge  our  possessions  or  to  raise  our  station  in 
society,  then  Mjlhology  has  no  claim  to  the  appellation.  But  if 
that  which  tends  to  make  us  happier  and  better  can  be  called  use- 
ful, then  we  claim  that  epithet  for  our  subject.  For  Mythology 
is  the  handmaid  of  literature ;  and  literature  is  one  of  the  best 
allies  of  wtue  and  promoters  of  happiness. 

"Without  a  knowledge  of  mythology  much  of  the  elegant  litera- 
ture of  our  own  language  cannot  be  understood  and  appreciated. 
"When  Byron  calls  Rome  "  the  Niobe  of  nations,"  or  says  of 
Venice,  "  She  looks  a  Sea-Cybele  fresh  from  ocean,"  he  calls  up  to 
the  mind  of  one  familiar  with  our  subject  illustrations  more  ^^vid 
and  striking  than  the  pencil  could  furnish,  but  which  are  lost  to 
the  reader  ignorant  of  mythology.  Milton  abounds  in  similar 
allusions.  The  short  poem  "  Comus  "  contains  more  than  thirty 
such,  and  the  ode  "  On  the  Morning  of  the  Nativity  "  half  as  many. 
Through  "  Paradise  Lost "  they  are  scattered  profusely.  This  is 
one  reason  why  we  often  hear  persons  by  no  means  illiterate  say 
that  they  cannot  enjoy  Milton.  But  were  these  persons  to  add 
to  their  more  solid  acquirements  the  easy  learning  of  this  little 
volume,  much  of  the  poetry  of  Milton  which  has  appeared  to 
them  "  harsh  and  crabbed "  would  be  found  "  musical  as  is  Apol- 
lo's lute."  Our  citations,  taken  from  more  than  twenty-five  poets, 
from  Spenser  to  Longfellow,  will  show  how  general  has  been  the 
practice  of  borrowing  illustrations  from  mythology. 

The  prose  writers  also  avail  themselves  of  the  same  source  of 

(3) 


4  PREFACE. 

elegant  and  suggestive  illustration.  One  can  hardly  take  up  a 
number  of  the  Edinburgh  or  Quarterly  Review  without  meeting 
with  instances.  In  Macaulay's  article  on  Milton  there  are 
twenty  such. 

But  how  is  mythology  to  be  taught  to  one  who  does  not  learn 
it  through  the  medium  of  the  languages  of  Greece  and  Rome  P 
To  devote  study  to  a  species  of  learning  which  relates  wholly  to 
false  marvels  and  obsolete  faiths,  is  not  to  be  expected  of  the 
general  reader  in  a  practical  age  like  this.  The  time  even  of  the 
young  is  claimed  by  so  many  sciences  of  fects  and  things,  that 
little  can  be  spared  for  set  treatises  on  a  science  of  mere  &ncy. 

But  may  not  the  requisite  knowledge  of  the  subject  be  acquired 
by  reading  the  ancient  poets  in  translations  ?  We  reply,  the  field 
is  too  extensive  for  a  preparatory  course ;  and  these  very  transla- 
tions require  some  previous  knowledge  of  the  subject  to  make 
them  intelligible.  Let  any  one  who  doubts  it  read  the  first  page 
of  the  "Mneid,"  and  see  what  he  can  make  of  "the  hatred  of 
Juno,"  the  "  decree  of  the  Parcse,"  the  "judgment  of  Paris,"  and 
the  "  honors  of  Ganymede,"  without  this  knowledge. 

Shall  we  be  told  that  answers  to  such  queries  may  be  found  in 
notes,  or  by  a  reference  to  the  Classical  Dictionaxy  ?  We  reply,  the 
interruption  of  one's  reading  by  either  process  is  so  annojing  that 
most  readers  prefer  to  let  an  allusion  pass  unapprehended  rather 
than  submit  to  it.  Moreover,  such  sources  give  us  only  the  dry 
facts  without  any  of  the  charm  of  the  original  narrative ;  and  what 
is  a  poetical  myth  when  stripped  of  its  poetry  ?  The  story  of 
Ceyx  and  Halcyone,  which  fills  a  chapter  in  our  book,  occupies  but 
eight  lines  in  the  best  (Smith's)  Cla.ssical  Dictionary ;  and  so  of 
others. 

Our  book  is  an  attempt  to  solve  this  problem,  by  telling  the 
stories  of  mythology  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  them  a  source 
of  amusement.  We  have  endeavored  to  tell  them  coiTectly,  accord- 
ing to  the  ancient  authorities,  so  that  when  the  reader  finds  them 
referred  to  he  may  not  be  at  a  loss  to  recognize  the  reference. 
Thus  we  hope  to  teach  mythology  not  as  a  study,  but  as  a  relaxa- 
tion from  study ;  to  give  our  work  the  charm  of  a  story-book,  yet 
by  means  of  it  to  impirt  a  knowledge  of  an  important  branch  of 


PREFACE.  5 

education.     The  index  at  the  end  will  adajit  it  to  the  purposes  of 
reference,  and  make  it  a  Clissical  Dictionary  for  the  parlor. 

Most  of  the  classical  legends  in  tliis  book  are  derived  from  Ovid 
and  VirgiL  They  are  not  literally  translated,  for,  in  the  author's 
opinion,  poetry  translated  into  literal  prose  is  very  unattractive 
reading.  Neither  are  they  in  verse,  as  well  for  other  reasons  as 
from  a  conviction  that  to  translate  faithfully  imder  all  the  embar- 
rassments of  rhyme  and  measure  is  impossible.  The  attempt  lias 
been  made  to  tell  the  stories  in  prose,  preserving  so  much  of  the 
poetiy  as  resides  in  the  thoughts  and  is  separable  from  the  lan- 
guage itself,  and  omitting  those  amplifications  which  are  not  suited 
to  the  altered  form. 

The  Northern  mythological  stories  are  copied  with  some  abridg- 
ment from  Mallet's  Northern  Antiquities.  These  chapters,  with 
those  on  Oriental  and  Egyptian  mythology,  seemed  necessary  to 
complete  the  subject,  though  it  is  beheved  these  topics  have  not 
usually  been  presented  in  the  same  volume  with  the  classical 
fcibles. 

The  poetical  citations  so  freely  introduced  are  expected  to 
answer  several  valuable  purposes.  They  will  tend  to  fix  in  mem- 
ory the  leading  fact  of  each  story,  they  will  help  to  the  attainment 
of  a  correct  pronunciation  of  the  proper  names,  and  they  will 
emich  the  memory  with  many  gems  of  poetry,  some  of  them  such 
as  are  most  frequently  quoted  or  alluded  to  in  reading  and  conver- 
sation. 

Having  chosen  mythology  as  connected  with  literature  for  our 
province,  we  have  endeavored  to  omit  nothing  which  the  reader 
of  elegant  literature  is  likely  to  find  occasion  for.  Such  stories 
and  parts  of  stories  as  are  offensive  to  piure  taste  and  good  morals 
are  not  given.  But  such  stories  are  not  often  referred  to,  and  if 
they  occasionally  should  be,  the  English  reader  need  feel  no  mor- 
tification in  confessing  his  ignorance  of  them. 

Our  book  is  not  for  the  learned,  nor  for  the  theologian,  nor  for 
the  philosopher,  but  for  the  reader  of  English  literature,  of  either 
sex,  who  wishes  to  comprehend  the  allusions  so  frequently  made 
by  public  speakers,  lecturers,  essayists,  and  poets,  and  those  which 
occur  in  polite  conversation. 
1* 


6  -  PREFACE. 

We  trust  our  young  readers  will  find  it  a  source  of  entertain- 
ment; those  more  advanced  a  useful  companion  in  their  reading; 
those  who  travel,  and  \isit  museums  and  galleries  of  art,  an 
interpreter  of  paintings  and  sculptiu-es ;  those  who  mingle  in 
cultivated  society,  a  key  to  allusions  which  are  occasionally  made ; 
and  last  of  all,  those  in  advanced  life,  pleasure  in  retracing  a  path 
of  literature  which  leads  them  back  to  the  days  of  their  childhood, 
and  revives  at  every  step  the  associations  of  the  morning  of  life. 

The  permanency  of  those  associations  is  beautifully  expressed 
in  the  well-known  lines  of  Coleridge,  in  "  The  Piccolomini,"  Act 
ii.  Scene  4. 

"The  intelligible  forms  of  ancient  poets, 
The  £Etir  humanities  of  old  religion, 
The  Power,  the  Beauty,  and  the  Majesty 
That  had  their  haunts  in  dale  or  piny  mountain. 
Or  forest,  by  slow  stream,  or  pebbly  spring. 
Or  chasms  and  watery  depths ;  all  these  hare  vanished ; 
They  live  no  longer  in  the  faith  of  reason ; 
But  still  the  heart  doth  need  a  language ;  still 
Doth  the  old  instinct  bring  baclt  the  old  names; 
Spirits  or  gods  that  used  to  share  this  earth 
With  man  as  with  their  friend ;  and  at  thia  day 
lis  Jupiter  who  brings  whate'er  is  great. 
And  Venus  who  brings  every  thing  that's  feir." 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  paob 

I.  —  Introduction 11 

n.  —  Prometheus  and  Pandora 24 

m.  —  Ajwllo  and  Daphne  —  Pyramus  and  Thisbe  — 

Cephalus  and  Procris •     .  34 

rV.  —  Juno  and  her  Rivals,  lo  and  Callisto  —  Diana 

and  Actaeon  —  Latona  and  the  Bustics.  ...  46 

V.  —  Phaeton 69 

VI.  —  Midas  —  Baucis  and  Philemon 69 

Vn.  —  Proserpine  —  Glaucus  and  Scylla 78 

VIIL  —  Pygmalion  —  Dryope  —  Venus  and  Adonis  — 

Apollo  and  Hyacinthus 91 

IX.  —  Ceyx  and  Halcyone 100 

X.  —  Vertumnus    and  Pomona  —  Iphis  and     Anax- 

arete 109 

XI.  —  Cupid  and  Psyche 116 

Xn.  —  Cadmus  —  The  Myrmidons 129 

XUL  —  Nisus  and  Scylla  —  Echo  and  Narcissus  —  Clytie 

—  Hero  and  Leander 138 

XrV.  —  Minerva  and  Arachne  —  Niobe 149 

XV.  —  The  Grtese  and    Gorgons  —  Perseus    and    Me- 
dusa   161 

(7) 


8  CONTENTS. 

Chapter  paqb 

XVI.  —  Monsters  ;    Giants  —  Sphinx  —  Pegasus  and 

Chimffira  —  Centaurs  —  GriiEn  —  Pygmies.     170 

XVII.  —  The  Golden  Fleece  —  Medea 180 

XVIII.  —  Meleager  and  Atalanta 191 

XIX.  —  Hercules  —  Hebe  and  Ganymede 199 

XX.  —  Theseus  and  Dseda-us  —  Castor  and  Pollux  — 

Festivals  and  Games.  . 208 

XXI.  —  Bacchus  and  Ariadne 220 

XXII.  —  The  Rural  Deities  —  The  Dryads  and  Erisich- 
thon  —  RhcEcus  —  The  AVater  Deities  —  The 
Camense  —  The  Winds 229 

XXIII.  —  Achelous  and  Hercules  —  Admetus  and  Al- 

cestis  —  Antigone,  Penelope 243 

XXIV.  —  Orpheus  and  Eurydice  —  Aristfeus  —  Amphion 

—  Linus  —  Thamyris  —  Marsj'as  —  Melam- 

pus  —  Musasus 254 

XXV.  —  Arion  —  Ibycus  —  Simonides  —  Sappho.    .     .     266 
XXVI.  —  Endymion  —  Orion  —  Aurora  and  Tithonus  — 

Acis  and  Galatea 278 

XXVII.  —  The  Trojan  War 288 

XXVin.  —  The  Fall  of  Troy  —  Return  of  the  Greeks  — 

Orestes  and  Electra 308 

XXIX.  —  Adventures    of   Ulysses  —  The    Lotus-eaters 

—  The  Cyclopes  —  Circe  —  Sirens  —  Scylla 
and  Charybdis  —  Calypso 319 

XXX.  —  The  Phffiacians  —  Fate  of  the  Suitors.    ...  333 
XXXI.  —  Adventures  of  iEneas  —  The  Harpies  —  Dido 

—  Palinurus 346 

XXXII.  —  The  Infernal  Regions  —  The  Sibyl 356 

XXXITT.  —  JEncas    in    Italy  —  Camilla  —  Evander  — 

Nisus  and  Euryalus  —  Mezentius  —  Turn\is.     369 


CONTENTS.  d- 

Chapteu  rAQH 

XXXIV.  —  Pythagoras  —  Egyptian  Dditics  —  Oracles.  .  384 
XXXV.  —  Origin  of  Mythology  —  Statues  of  Gods  and 

Goddesses  —  Poets  of  Mythology.    .     .     .  400 
XXXVI.  —  Monsters  (modern)  —  The  Phoenix  —  Basi- 
lisk—  Unicom  —  Salamander 413 

XXXVII.  —  Eastern  Mythology  —  Zoroaster  —  Hindu 
Mythology  —  Castes  —  Buddha  —  The 

Grand  Lama  —  Prester  John 423 

XXXVIII.  —  NorthernMythology— Valhalla— The  Val- 

kyrior 436 

XXXIX.  —  Thor's  Visit  to  Jotunheim 447 

XL.  —  The  Death  of  Baldur  —  The  Elves  —  Runic 

Letters  —  Skalds  —  Iceland 456 

XLI.  —  The  Druids  — lona. 466 

FllOYEBBIAL  ExrUESSIONS 477 

Index 480 


STOEIES   OF  GODS  AND  HEEOES. 

CHAPTER   I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The  religions  of  ancient  Greece  and  Rome  are  extinct. 
The  so-called  divinities  of  Olympus  have  not  a  single  wor- 
shipper among  living  men.  They  belong  now  not  to  the 
department  of  theology,  but  to  those  of  literature  and 
taste.  There  they  still  hold  their  place,  and  will  continue 
to  hold  it,  for  they  are  too  closely  connected  with  the  finest 
productions  of  poetry  and  art,  both  ancient  and  modern,  to 
pass  into  oblivion. 

We  propose  to  tell  the  stories  relating  to  them  which 
have  come  down  to  us  from  the  ancients,  and  which  are 
alluded  to  by  modem  poets,  essayists,  and  orators.  Our 
readers  may  thus  at  the  same  time  be  entertained  by  the 
most  charming  fictions  which  fancy  has  ever  created,  and 
put  in  possession  of  information  indispensable  to  every 
one  who  would  read  with  intelligence  the  elegant  literature 
of  his  own  day. 

In  order  to  understand  these  stories,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  acquaint  ourselves  with  the  ideas  of  the  structure  of 
the  universe,  which  prevailed  among  the  Greeks  —  the 
people  from  whom  the  Romans,  and  other  nations  through 
them,  received  their  science  and  religion. 

(U) 


12  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    IIEKOES. 

The  Greeks  believed  the  earth  to  be  flat  and  circular, 
their  own  country  occupying  the  middle  of  it,  the  central 
point  being  either  Mount  Olympus,  the  abode  of  the  gods, 
or  Delphi,  so  famous  for  its  oracle. 

The  circular  disk  of  the  earth  was  crossed  from  west  to 
east,  and  divided  into  two  equal  parts  by  the  Sea,  as  they 
called  the  Mediterranean,  and  its  continuation  the  Euxine, 
the  only  seas  with  which  they  were  acquainted. 

Around  the  earth  flowed  the  River  Ocean,  its  course 
being  from  south  to  north  on  the  western  side  of  the  earth, 
and  in  a  contrary  direction  on  the  eastern  side.  It  flowed 
in  a  steady,  equable  current,  unvexed  by  storm  or  tempest. 
The  sea,  and  all  the  rivers  on  earth,  received  their  waters 
from  it. 

The  northern  portion  of  the  earth  was  supposed  to  be 
inhabited  by  a  happy  race  named  the  Hyperboreans, 
dwelling  in  everlasting  bliss  and  spring  beyond  the  lofty 
mountains  whose  caverns  were  supposed  to  send  forth  the 
piercing  blasts  of  the  north  wind,  which  chilled  the  people 
of  Hellas,  (Greece.)  Their  country  was  inaccessible  by 
land  or  sea.  They  lived  exempt  from  disease  or  old  age, 
from  toils  and  warfare.  Moore  has  given  us  the  "  Song 
of  a  Hyperborean,"  beginning 

"  I  come  from  a  land  in  the  sun-bright  deep, 

Where  golden  gardens  glow, 
Where  the  winds  of  the  north,  becalmed  in  sleep. 

Their  conch  shells  never  blow." 

On  the  south  side  of  the  earth,  close  to  the  stream  of 
Ocean,  dwelt  a  people  happy  and  virtuous  as  the  Hyper- 
boreans. They  were  named  the  -Ethiopians.  The  gods 
favored  them  so  highly  that  they  were  wont  to  leave  at 
times  their  Olympian  abodes,  and  go  to  share  their  sacri- 
fices and  banquets. 


8TOUIKS    OP   OODS   AND    HEROES.  1^ 

On  the  western  margin  of  the  earth,  by  the  stream  of 
Ocean,  lay  a  happy  place  named  the  Elysian  Plain,  whither 
mortals  favored  by  the  gods  Avere  transported  without 
tasting  of  death,  to  enjoy  an  immortality  of  bliss.  This 
happy  region  was  also  called  the  "  Fortunate  Fields,"  and 
the  "  Isles  of  the  Blessed." 

"We  thus  see  that  the  Greeks  of  the  early  ages  knew 
little  of  any  real  people  except  those  to  the  east  and  south 
of  their  own  country,  or  near  the  coast  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean. Their  imagination  meantime  peopled  the  western 
portion  of  this  sea  with  giants,  monsters,  and  enchantresses ; 
while  they  placed  around  the  disk  of  the  earth,  which  they 
probably  regarded  as  of  no  great  width,  nations  enjoying 
the  peculiar  favor  of  the  gods,  and  blessed  with  happiness 
and  longevity. 

The  Dawn,  the  Sun,  and  the  Moon  were  supposed  to 
rise  out  of  the  Ocean,  on  the  eastern  side,  and  to  drive 
through  the  air,  giving  light  to  gods  and  men.  The  stars 
also,  except  those  forming  the  Wain  or  Bear,  and  others 
near  them,  rose  out  of  and  sank  into  the  stream  of  Ocean. 
There  the  sun-god  embarked  in  a  winged  boat,  which  con- 
veyed him  round  by  the  northern  part  of  the  earth,  back 
to  his  place  of  rising  in  the  east.  Milton  alludes  to  this 
in  his  "  Comws." 

"  Now  the  gilded  car  of  day 
His  golden  axle  doth  allay 
In  the  steep  Atlantic  stream, 
And  the  slope  Sun  his  upward  beam 
Shoots  against  the  dusky  pole, 
Pacing  towards  the  other  goal 
Of  his  chamber  in  the  cast." 

The  aljodc  of  the  gods  was  on  the  summit  of  Mount  Olym- 
pus, in  Thessaly,     A  gate  of  clouds,  kept  by  the  goddesses 
2 


14  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

named  the  Seasons,  opened  to  permit  the  passage  of  the 
Celestials  to  earth,  and  to  receive  them  on  their  return. 
The  gods  had  their  separate  dwellings ;  but  all,  when  sum- 
moned, repaired  to  the  palace  of  Jupiter,  as  did  also  those 
deities  whose  usual  abode  was  the  earth,  the  waters,  or  the 
underworld.  It  was  also  in  the  great  hall  of  the  palace 
of  the  Olympian  king  that  the  gods  feasted  each  day  on 
ambrosia  and  nectar,  their  food  and  drink,  the  latter  being 
handed  round  by  the  lovely  goddess  Hebe.  Here  they 
conversed  of  the  affairs  of  heaven  and  earth ;  and  as  they 
quaffed  their  nectar,  Apollo,  the  god  of  music,  delighted 
them  with  the  tones  of  his  lyre,  to  which  the  Muses  sang 
in  responsive  strains.  When  the  sun  was  set,  the  gods 
retired  to  sleep  in  their  respective  dwellings. 

The  following  lines  from  the  Odyssey  will  show  how 
Homer  conceived  of  Olympus :  — 

"  So  saying,  Minerva,  goddess  azure-eyed. 
Rose  to  01)Tnpus,  the  reputed  seat 
Eternal  of  the  gods,  which  never  storms 
Disturb,  rains  drench,  or  snow  invades,  but  calm 
The  expanse  and  cloudless  shines  with  purest  day. 
There  the  inhabitants  divine  rejoice 
Forever."  Cotoper. 

The  robes  and  other  parts  of  the  dress  of  the  goddesses 
were  woven  by  Minerva  and  the  Graces,  and  every  thing 
of  a  more  solid  nature  w^as  formed  of  the  various  metals. 
Vulcan  was  architect,  smith,  armorer,  chariot  builder,  and 
artist  of  all  work  in  Olympus.  He  built  of  brass  the 
houses  of  the  gods ;  he  made  for  them  the  golden  shoes 
with  which  they  trod  the  air  or  the  water,  and  moved 
from  place  to  place  with  the  speed  of  the  wind,  or  even  of 
thought.  He  also  shod  with  brass  the  celestial  steeds, 
which  whirled  the  chariots  of  the  gods  through  the  air,  or 


STORIES   OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  15 

along  the  surface  of  the  sea.  He  was  able  to  bestow  on 
his  workmanship  self-motion,  so  that  the  tripods  (chairs 
and  tables)  could  move  of  themselves  in  and  out  of  the 
celestial  hall.  He  even  endowed  with  intelligence  the 
golden  handmaidens  whom  he  made  to  wait  on  himself. 

Jupiter,  or  Jove,  (Zeus,)  though  called  the  father  of  gods 
and  men,  had  himself  a  beginning.  Saturn  (Cronos) 
was  his  father,  and  Rhea  (Ops)  his  mother.  Saturn  and 
Rhea  were  of  the  I'ace  of  Titans,  who  were  the  children 
of  Earth  and  Heaven,  which  sprang  from  Chaos,  of  which 
we  shall  give  a  further  account  in  our  next  chapter. 

There  is  another  cosmogony,  or  account  of  the  creation, 
according  to  which  Earth,  Erebus,  and  Love  were  the  first 
of  beings.  Love  (Eros)  issued  from  the  egg  of  Night, 
which  floated  on  Chaos.  By  his  arrows  and  torch  he 
pierced  and  vivified  all  things,  producing  life  and  joy. 

Saturn  and  Rhea  were  not  the  only  Titans.  There 
were  others,  whose  names  were  Oceanus,  Hyperion,  lape- 
tus,  and  Ophion,  males ;  and  Themis,  Mnemosyne,  Eu- 
rynome,  females.  They  are  spoken  of  as  the  elder  gods, 
whose  dominion  was  afterwards  transferred  to  others. 
Saturn  yielded  to  Jupiter,  Oceanus  to  Neptune,  Hyperion 
to  Apollo.  Hyperion  was  the  father  of  the  Sun,  Moon, 
and  Dawn.  He  is  therefore  the  original  sun-god,  and  is 
painted  with  the  splendor  and  beauty  which  were  after- 
wards bestowed  on  Apollo. 

"  Hyperion's  curls,  the  front  of  Jove  himself."    Shakspeare. 

Ophion  and  Eurynome  ruled  over  Olympus  till  they 
were  dethroned  by  Saturn  and  Rhea.  Milton  alludes  to 
them  in  Paradise  Lost.  He  says  the  heathens  seem  to 
have  had  some  knowledge  of  the  temptation  and  fall  of 
man. 


16  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

"  And  fabled  how  the  serpent,  whom  they  called 
Ophion,  -with  Eur}'nome,  (the  -wide- 
Encroaching  Eve  perhaps,)  had  first  the  rule 
Of  high  Olympus,  thence  by  Saturn  driven. 

The  representations  given  of  Saturn  are  not  very  con- 
sistent ;  for  on  the  one  hand  his  reign  is  said  to  have  been 
the  golden  age  of  innocence  and  purity,  and  on  the  other 
he  is  described  as  a  monster  who  devoured  his  own  chil- 
dren.* Jupiter,  however,  escaped  this  fate,  and  when 
grown  up  espoused  Metis,  (Prudence,)  who  administered  a 
draught  to  Saturn  which  caused  him  to  disgorge  his  children. 
Jupiter,  with  his  brothers  and  sisters,  now  rebelled  against 
their  father  Saturn,  and  his  brothers  the  Titans  ;  van- 
quished them,  and  imprisoned  some  of  them  in  Tartarus, 
inflicting  other  penalties  on  others.  Atlas  was  condemned 
to  bear  up  the  heavens  on  his  shoulders. 

On  the  dethronement  of  Saturn,  Jupiter  with  his  broth- 
ers Neptune  (Poseidon)  and  Pluto  (Dis)  divided  his  do- 
minions. Jupiter's  portion  was  the  heavens,  Neptune's 
the  ocean,  and  Pluto's  the  realms  of  the  dead.  Earth 
and  Olympus  were  common  property.  Jupiter  was  king 
of  gods  and  men.  The  thunder  was  his  weapon,  and  he 
bore  a  shield  called  iEgis,  made  for  him  by  Vulcan.  The 
eagle  was  his  favorite  bird,  and  bore  his  thunderbolts. 

Juno  (Hera)  was  the  wife  of  Jupiter,  and  queen  of  the 
gods.  Iris,  the  goddess  of  the  rainbow,  was  her  attendant 
and  messenger.     The  peacock  was  her  favorite  bird. 

Vulcan,  (Hephaestos,)  the  celestial  artist,  was  the  son 
of  Jupiter  and  Juno.     He  was  born  lame,  and  his  mother 

*  This  inconsistency  arises  from  considering  the  Saturn  of  the  Ro- 
mans the  same  with  the  Grecian  deity  Cronos,  (Time,)  which,  as  it 
brings  an  end  to  all  things  which  have  had  a  beginning,  may  be  said 
to  devour  its  own  offspring. 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  17 

was  SO  displeased  at  the  sight  of  him  that  she  flung  him 
out  of  heaven.  Other  accounts  say  that  Jupiter  kicked 
him  out  for  taking  part  with  his  mother,  in  a  quarrel 
which  occurred  between  them.  Vulcan's  lameness,  ac- 
cording to  this  account,  was  the  consequence  of  his  fall. 
He  was  a  whole  day  falling,  and  at  last  alighted  in  the 
Island  of  Lemnos,  which  was  thenceforth  sacred  to  him. 
Milton  alludes  to  this  story  in  Paradise  Lost,  Book  I. 

"  From  morn 
To  noon  he  fell,  from  noon  to  dewy  eve, 
A  summer's  day ;  and  with  the  setting  sun 
Dropped  from  the  zenith,  like  a  falling  star, 
On  Lemnos,  the  JEgean  isle." 

Mars,  (Ares,)  the  god  of  war,  was  the  son  of  Jupiter 
and  Juno. 

Phoebus  Apollo,  the  god  of  archery,  prophecy,  and  mu- 
sic, was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Latona,  and  brother  of 
Diana,  (Artemis.)  He  was  god  of  the  sun,  as  Diana, 
his  sister,  was  the  goddess  of  the  moon. 

Venus,  (Aphrodite,)  the  goddess  of  love  and  beauty, 
was  the  daughter  of  Jupiter  and  Dione.  Others  say  that 
Venus  sprang  from  the  foam  of  the  sea.  The  zephyr 
wafted  her  along  the  waves  to  the  Isle  of  Cyprus,  where 
she  was  received  and  attired  by  the  Seasons,  and  then  led 
to  tlie  assembly  of  the  gods.  All  were  charmed  with  her 
beauty,  and  each  one  demanded  her  for  his  Avife.  Jupiter 
gave  her  to  Vulcan,  in  gratitude  for  the  service  he  had 
rendered  in  forging  thunderbolts.  So  the  most  beautiful 
of  the  goddesses  became  the  wife  of  the  most  ill-favored 
of  the  gods.  Venus  possessed  an  embroidered  girdle 
called  Cestus,  which  had  the  power  of  inspiring  love. 
Her  favorite  birds  were  swans  and  doves,  and  the  plants 
sacred  to  her  were  the  rose  and  the  myrtle. 
2* 


18  8TOKIE3    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Cupid,  (Eros,)  the  god  of  love,  was  the  son  of  Venus. 
He  was  her  constant  companion ;  and,  armed  with  bow 
and  arrows,  he  shot  the  darts  of  desire  into  the  bosoms  of 
both  gods  and  men.  There  was  a  deity  named  Anteros, 
who  was  sometimes  represented  as  the  avenger  of  shghted 
love,  and  sometimes  as  the  symbol  of  reciprocal  affection. 
The  following  legend  is  told  of  him :  — 

Venus,  complaining  to  Themis  that  her  son  Eros  con- 
tinued always  a  child,  was  told  by  her  that  it  was  because 
he  was  soUtary,  and  that  if  he  had  a  brother  he  would 
grow  apace.  Anteros  was  soon  afterwards  born,  and  Eros 
immediately  was  seen  to  increase  rapidly  in  size  and 
strength. 

Minerva,  (Pallas,  Athene,)  the  goddess  of  wisdom,  was 
the  offspring  of  Jupiter,  without  a  mother.  She  sprang 
forth  from  his  head,  completely  armed.  Her  favorite  bird 
was  the  owl,  and  the  plant  sacred  to  her  the  olive. 

Byron,  in  "  Childe  Harold,"  alludes  to  the  birth  of  Mi- 
nerva, thus :  — 

"  Can  tyrants  but  by  tyrants  conquered  be, 
And  Freedom  find  no  champion  and  no  child, 
Such  as  Columbia  saw  arise,  when  she 
Sprang  forth  a  Pallas,  armed  and  undefiled  ? 
Or  must  such  minds  be  nourished  in  the  wild, 
Deep  in  the  unpruned  forest,  'midst  the  roar 
Of  cataracts,  where  nursing  Nature  smiled 
On  infant  Washington  ?    Has  earth  no  more 
Such  seeds  within  her  breast,  or  Europe  no  such  shore  ? " 

Mercury  (Hermes)  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Maia. 
He  presided  over  commerce,  wrestling,  and  other  gymnas- 
tic exercises,  even  over  thieving,  and  every  thing,  in  short, 
which  required  skill  and  dexterity.  He  was  the  messen- 
ger of  Jupiter,  and  wore  a  winged  cap  and  winged  shoes. 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  19 

He  bore  in  his  hand  a  rod  entwined  with  two  serpents, 
called  the  Caduceus. 

Mercury  is  said  to  have  invented  the  lyre.  He  found, 
one  day,  a  tortoise,  of  which  he  took  the  shell,  made  holes 
in  the  opposite  edges  of  it,  and  drew  cords  of  linen 
through  them,  and  the  instrument  was  complete.  The 
cords  were  nine,  in  honor  of  the  nine  Muses.  Mercury 
gave  the  lyre  to  Apollo,  and  received  from  him  in  ex- 
change the  caduceus.* 

Ceres  (Demeter)  was  the  daughter  of  Saturn  and 
Rhea.  She  had  a  daughter  named  Proserpine,  (Per- 
sephone,) who  became  the  wife  of  Pluto,  and  queen  of  the 
realms  of  the  dead.     Ceres  presided  over  agriculture. 

Bacchus,  (Dionysus,)  the  god  of  wine,  was  the  son  of 
Jupiter  and  Semele.  He  represents  not  only  the  intoxi- 
cating power  of  wine,  but  its  social  and  beneficent  influ- 
ences likewise,  so  that  he  is  viewed  as  the  promoter  of 
civilization,  and  a  lawgiver  and  lover  of  peace. 

The  Muses  were  the  daughters  of  Jupiter  and  Mnemos- 
yne, (Memory.)  They  presided  over  song,  and  prompted 
the  memory.  They  were  nine  in  number,  to  each  of 
whom  was  assigned  the  presidence  over  some  particular 
department  of  literature,  art,  or  science.  Calliope  was 
the  muse  of  epic  poetry,  Clio  of  history,  Euterpe  of  lyric 
poetry,  Melpomene  of  tragedy,  Terpsichore  of  choral 
dance  and  song,  Erato  of  love  poetry,  Polyhymnia  of 
sacred  poetry,  Urania  of  astronomy,  Thalia  of  comedy. 

*  From  this  origin  of  the  instrument,  the  word  "shell"  is  often 
used  as  synonymous  with  "  Ij're,"  and  figuratively  for  music  and  po- 
etry.   Thus  Gray,  in  his  ode  on  the  "  Progress  of  Poesy,"  says,  — 

"  O  Sovereign  of  the  willing  soul. 
Parent  of  sweet  and  solemn-breathing  airs, 
Enchanting  shell !  the  sullen  Cares 
And  frantic  Passions  hear  thy  soft  control." 


20  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

The  Graces  were  goddesses  presiding  over  the  ban- 
quet, the  dance,  and  all  social  enjoyments  and  elegant 
arts.  They  were  three  in  number.  Their  names  were 
Euphrosyne,  Aglaia,  and  Thalia. 

Spenser  describes  the  office  of  the  Graces  thus :  — 

"  These  tliree  on  men  all  gracious  gifts  bestow 
Which  deck  the  body  or  adorn  the  mind, 
To  make  them  lovely  or  well-favored  show ; 
As  comely  carriage,  entertainment  kind. 
Sweet  semblance,  friendly  offices  that  bind. 
And  all  the  complements  of  courtesy ; 
They  teach  us  how  to  each  degree  and  kind 
"We  should  ourselves  demean,  to  low,  to  high, 

To  friends,  to  foes ;  which  skill  men  call  Civility." 

The  Fates  were  also  three  —  Clotho,  Lachesis,  and  Atro- 
pos.  Their  office  was  to  spin  the  thread  of  human  des- 
tiny, and  they  were  armed  with  shears,  with  which  they 
cut  it  off  when  they  pleased.  They  were  the  daughters  of 
Themis,  (Law,)  who  sits  by  Jove  on  his  throne  to  give 
him  counsel. 

The  Erinnyes,  or  Furies,  were  three  goddesses  who  pun- 
ished by  their  secret  stings  the  crimes  of  those  who  es- 
caped or  defied  public  justice.  The  heads  of  the  Furies 
were  wreathed  with  serpents,  and  their  whole  appearance 
was  terrific  and  appalUng.  Their  names  were  Alecto, 
Tisiphone,  and  Megsera.  They  were  also  called  Eu- 
menides. 

Nemesis  was  also  an  avenging  goddess.  She  represents 
the  righteous  anger  of  the  gods,  particularly  towards  the 
proud  and  insolent. 

Pan  was  the  god  of  flocks  and  shepherds.  His  favorite 
residence  was  in  Arcadia. 

The  Satyrs  were  deities  of  the  woods  and  fields.     They 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  21 

were  conceived  to  be  covered  with  bristly  hair,  their  heads 
decorated  with  short,  sprouting  horns,  and  their  feet  like 
goats'. 

Momus  was  the  god  of  laughter,  and  Plutus  the  god  of 
wealth. 

ROMAN  DIVINITIES. 

The  preceding  are  Grecian  divinities,  though  received 
also  by  the  Romans.  Those  which  follow  are  peculiar  to 
Roman  mythology. 

Saturn  was  an  ancient  Italian  deity.  It  was  attempted 
to  identify  him  with  the  Grecian  god  Cronos,  and  fabled 
that  after  his  dethronement  by  Jupiter,  he  fled  to  Italy, 
where  he  reigned  during  what  was  called  the  Golden  Age. 
In  memory  of  his  beneficent  dominion,  the  feast  of  Sat- 
urnalia was  held  every  year  in  the  winter  season.  Then 
all  public  business  was  suspended,  declarations  of  war  and 
criminal  executions  were  postponed,  friends  made  presents 
to  one  another,  and  the  slaves  were  indulged  with  great 
liberties.  A  feast  was  given  them  at  which  they  sat  at 
table,  while  their  mastei's  served  them,  to  show  the  natu- 
ral equality  of  men,  and  that  all  things  belonged  equally 
to  all,  in  the  reign  of  Saturn. 

Faunus,  the  grandson  of  Saturn,  was  worshipped  as  the 
god  of  fields  and  shepherds,  and  also  as  a  prophetic  god. 
His  name  in  the  plural.  Fauns,  expressed  a  class  of  game- 
some deities,  hke  the  Satyrs  of  the  Greeks. 

Quirinus  was  a  war  god,  said  to  be  no  other  than  Rom- 
ulus, the  founder  of  Rome,  exalted  after  his  death  to  a 
place  among  the  gods. 

Bellona,  a  war  goddess. 

Terminus,  the   god  of  landmarks.     His  statue  was  a 


7BZ  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

rude  stone  or  post,  set  in  the  ground  to  mark  the  bounda- 
ries of  fields. 

Pales,  the  goddess  presiding  over  cattle  and  pastures. 

Pomona  presided  over  fruit  trees. 

Flora,  the  goddess  of  flowers. 

Lucina,  the  goddess  of  childbirth. 

Vesta  (the  Hestia  of  the  Greeks)  was  a  deity  presiding 
over  the  public  and  private  hearth.  A  sacred  fire,  tended 
by  six  virgin  priestesses  called  Vestals,  flamed  in  her  tem- 
ple. As  the  safety  of  the  city  was  held  to  be  connected 
with  its  conservation,  the  neglect  of  the  virgins,  if  they 
let  it  go  out,  was  severely  punished,  and  the  fire  was  re- 
kindled from  the  rays  of  the  sun. 

Liber  is  the  Latin  name  of  Bacchus  ;  and  Mulciber  of 
Vulcan. 

Janus  was  the  porter  of  heaven.  He  opens  the  year, 
the  first  month  being  named  after  him.  He  is  the  guar- 
dian deity  of  gates,  on  which  account  he  is  commonly  rep- 
resented with  two  heads,  because  every  door  looks  two 
ways.  His  temples  at  Rome  were  numerous.  In  war 
time  the  gates  of  the  principal  one  were  always  open. 
In  peace  they  were  closed ;  but  they  were  shut  only  once 
between  the  reign  of  Numa  and  that  of  Augustus. 

The  Penates  were  the  gods  who  were  supposed  to  at- 
tend to  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  family.  Their 
name  is  derived  from  Penus,  the  pantry,  which  was  sacred 
to  them.  Every  master  of  a  family  was  the  priest  to  the 
Penates  of  his  own  house. 

The  Lares,  or  Lars,  were  also  household  gods,  but  dif- 
fered from  the  Penates  in  being  regarded  as  the  deified 
spirits  of  mortals.  The  family  Lars  were  held  to  be  the 
souls  of  the  ancestors,  who  watched  over  and  protected 
their  descendants.  The  words  Lemur  and  Larva  more 
nearly  correspond  to  our  word  Ghost. 


8T0UIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  23 

The  Romans  believed  that  every  man  had  his  Genius, 
and  every  woman  her  Juno ;  that  is,  a  spirit  who  had  given 
them  being,  and  was  regarded  as  their  protector  through 
life.  On  their  birthdays  men  made  offerings  to  their 
Genius,  women  to  their  Juno. 

A  modern  poet  thus  alludes  to  some  of  the  Roman 
gods : — 

"  Pomona  loves  the  orchard, 
And  Liber  loves  the  vine, 
And  Pales  loves  the  straw-built  shed 

Wann  with  the  breath  of  kine  ; 
And  Venus  loves  the  whisper 

Of  plighted  youth  and  maid, 
In  April's  ivory  moonlight, 
Beneath  the  chestnut  shade." 

Macaulay,  "  Prophecy  of  Capya." 


N.  B.  —  It  is  to  be  observed  that  in  proper  names  the 
final  e  and  cs  are  to  be  sounded.  Thus  Cybele  and  Pena- 
tes are  words  of  three  syllables.  But  Proserpine  and 
Thebes  are  exceptions,  and  to  be  pronounced  as  English 
words.  In  the  Index  at  the  close  of  the  volume,  we  shall 
mark  the  accented  syllable,  in  all  words  which  appear  to 
require  it. 


24 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


Deucalion  and  Pyrrha. 


CHAPTER    II. 


PROMETHEUS  AND  PANDORA. 


The  creation  of  the  world  is  a  problem  naturally  fitted 
to  excite  the  liveliest  interest  of  man,  its  inhabitant.  The 
ancient  pagans,  not  having  the  information  on  the  subject 
which  we  derive  from  the  pages  of  Scripture,  had  their 
own  way  of  telling  the  story,  which  is  as  follows :  — 

Before  earth,  and  sea,  and  heaven  were  created,  all 
things  wore  one  aspect,  to  which  we  give  the  name  of 
Chaos  —  a  confused  and  shapeless  mass,  nothing  but  dead 
weight,  in  which,  however,  slumbered  the  seeds  of  things. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    UEROES.  25 

Earth,  sea,  and  air  were  all  mixed  up  together ;  so  the 
earth  was  not  solid,  the  sea  was  not  fluid,  and  the  air  was 
not  transparent.  God  and  Nature  at  last  interposed,  and 
put  an  end  to  this  discord,  separating  earth  from  sea,  and 
heaven  from  both.  The  fiery  part,  being  the  lightest, 
sprang  up,  and  formed  the  skies ;  the  air  was  next  in 
weight  and  place.  The  earth,  being  heavier,  sank  below  ; 
and  the  water  took  the  lowest  place,  and  buoyed  up  the 
earth. 

Here  some  god  —  it  is  not  known  which  —  gave  his  good 
offices  in  arranging  and  disposing  the  earth.  He  appoint- 
ed rivers  and  bays  their  places,  raised  mountains,  scooped 
out  valleys,  distributed  woods,  fountains,  fertile  fields,  and 
stony  plains.  The  air  being  cleared,  the  stars  began  to 
appear,  fishes  took  possession  of  the  sea,  birds  of  the  air, 
and  four-footed  beasts  of  the  land. 

But  a  nobler  animal  was  wanted,  and  Man  was  made. 
It  is  not  known  whether  the  Creator  made  him  of  divine 
materials,  or  whether  in  the  earth,  so  lately  separated  from 
heaven,  there  lurked  still  some  heavenly  seeds.  Prome- 
theus took  some  of  this  earth,  and  kneading  it  up  with 
water,  made  man  in  the  image  of  the  gods.  He  gave  him 
an  upright  stature,  so  that  while  all  other  animals  turn 
their  faces  downward,  and  look  to  the  earth,  he  raises  his 
to  heaven,  and  gazes  on  the  stars. 

Prometheus  was  one  of  the  Titans,  a  gigantic  race,  who 
inhabited  the  earth  before  the  creation  of  man.  To  him 
and  his  brother  Epimetheus  was  committed  the  office  of 
making  man,  and  providing  him  and  all  other  animals 
with  the  faculties  necessary  for  their  preservation.  Epi- 
metheus undertook  to  do  this,  and  Prometheus  was  to 
overlook  his  work,  when  it  Avas  done.  Epimetheus  accord- 
ingly proceeded  to  bestow  upon  the  different  animals  the 
3 


26  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

various  gifts  of  courage,  strength,  swiftness,  sagacity ;  wings 
to  one,  claws  to  another,  a  shelly  covering  to  a  third,  etc. 
But  when  man  came  to  be  provided  for,  who  was  to  be  su- 
perior to  all  other  animals,  Epimetheus  had  been  so  prod- 
igal of  his  resources  that  he  had  nothing  left  to  bestow 
upon  him.  In  his  perplexity  he  resorted  to  his  brother 
Prometheus,  who,  with  the  aid  of  Minerva,  went  up  to 
heaven,  and  lighted  his  torch  at  the  chariot  of  the  sun,  and 
brought  down  fire  to  man.  With  this  gift  man  was  more 
than  a  match  for  all  other  animals.  It  enabled  him  to 
make  weapons  wherewith  to  subdue  them ;  tools  with 
which  to  cultivate  the  earth  ;  to  warm  his  dwelling,  so  as 
to  be  comparatively  independent  of  climate  ;  and  finally  to 
introduce  the  arts  and  to  coin  money,  the  means  of  trade 
and  commerce. 

Woman  was  not  yet  made.  The  story  (absurd  enough !) 
is,  that  Jupiter  made  her,  and  sent  her  to  Prometheus  and 
his  brother,  to  punish  them  for  their  presumption  in  steal- 
ing fire  from  heaven;  and  man,  for  accepting  the  gift. 
The  first  woman  was  named  Pandora.  She  w^as  made  in 
heaven,  every  god  contributing  something  to  perfect  her. 
Venus  gave  her  beauty.  Mercury  persuasion,  Apollo  mu- 
sic, etc  Thus  equipped,  she  was  conveyed  to  earth,  and 
presented  to  Epimetheus,  who  gladly  accepted  her,  though 
cautioned  by  his  brother  to  beware  of  Jupiter  and  his 
gifts.  Epimetheus  had  in  his  house  a  jar,  in  which  were 
kept  certain  noxious  articles,  for  which,  in  fitting  man  for 
his  new  abode,  he  had  had  no  occasion.  Psuidora  was 
seized  with  an  eager  curiosity  to  know  what  this  jar  con- 
tained ;  and  one  day  she  slipped  off  the  cover  and  looked 
in.  Forthwith  there  escaped  a  multitude  of  plagues  for 
hapless  man,  —  such  as  gout,  rheumatism,  and  colic  for  his 
body,  and  envy,  spite,  and  revenge  for  his  mind,  —  and 
scattered  themselves  far  and  wide.     Pandora  hastened  to 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HKROKS.  27 

replace  the  lid  ;  but,  alas  !  the  whole  contents  of  the  jar  had 
escaped,  one  thing  only  excepted,  which  lay  at  the  bottom, 
and  that  was  hope.  So  we  see  at  this  day,  whatever  evils 
are  abroad,  hope  never  entirely  leaves  us ;  and  while  we 
have  that,  no  amount  of  other  ills  can  make  us  completely 
wretched. 

Another  story  is,  that  Pandora  was  sent  in  good  faith, 
by  Jupiter,  to  bless  man ;  that  she  was  furnished  with  a 
box,  containing  her  marriage  presents,  into  which  every 
god  had  put  some  blessing.  She  opened  the  box  incau- 
tiously, and  the  blessings  all  escaped,  hope  only  excepted. 
This  story  seems  more  probable  than  the  former ;  for  how 
could  hope,  so  precious  a  jewel  as  it  is,  have  been  kept  in 
a  jar  full  of  all  manner  of  evils,  as  in  the  former  state- 
ment? 

The  world  being  thus  furnished  with  inhabitants,  the 
first  age  was  an  age  of  innocence  and  happiness,  called 
the  Golden  Age.  Truth  and  right  prevailed,  though  not 
enforced  by  law,  nor  was  there  any  magistrate  to  threaten 
or  punish.  The  forest  had  not  yet  been  robbed  of  its 
trees  to  furnish  timbers  for  vessels,  nor  had  men  built  for- 
tifications round  their  towns.  There  were  no  such  things 
as  swords,  spears,  or  helmets.  The  eai'th  brought  forth  all 
things  necessary  for  man,  without  his  labor  in  ploughing 
or  sowing.  Perpetual  spring  reigned,  flowers  sprang  up 
without  seed,  the  rivers  flowed  with  milk  and  wine,  and 
yellow  honey  distilled  from  the  oaks. 

Then  succeeded  the  Silver  Age,  inferior  to  the  golden, 
but  better  than  that  of  brass.  Jupiter  shortened  the 
spring,  and  divided  the  year  into  seasons.  Then,  first, 
men  had  to  endure  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and 
houses  became  necessary.  Caves  were  the  first  dwellings, 
and  leafy  coverts  of  the  woods,  and  huts  woven  of  twigs. 
Crops   would   no  longer   grow   without   planting.      The 


28  8TOKIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

farmer  was  obliged  to  sow  the  seed,  and  the  toiling  ox  to 
draw  the  plough. 

Next  came  the  Brazen  Age,  more  savage  of  temper, 
and  readier  to  the  strife  of  arms,  yet  not  altogether  wicked. 
The  hardest  and  worst  was  the  Iron  Age.  Crime  burst 
in  like  a  flood  ;  modesty,  truth,  and  honor  fled.  In  their 
places  came  fraud  and  cunning,  violence,  and  the  wicked 
love  of  gain.  Then  seamen  spread  sails  to  the  wind,  and 
the  trees  were  torn  from  the  mountains  to  serve  for  keels 
to  ships,  and  vex  the  face  of  ocean.  The  earth,  which 
till  now  had  been  cultivated  in  common,  began  to  be  di- 
vided off  into  possessions.  Men  were  not  satisfied  with 
what  the  surface  produced,  but  must  dig  into  its  bowels, 
and  draw  forth  from  thence  the  ores  of  metals.  Mis- 
chievous iron,  and  more  mischievous  gold,  were  produced. 
War  sprang  up,  using  both  as  weapons ;  the  guest  was  not 
safe  in  his  friend's  house ;  and  sons-in-law  and  fathers-in- 
law,  brothers  and  sisters,  husbands  and  wives,  could  not 
trust  one  another.  Sons  wished  their  fathers  dead,  that 
they  might  come  to  the  inheritance ;  family  love  lay  pros- 
trate. The  earth  was  wet  with  slaughter,  and  the  gods 
abandoned  it,  one  by  one,  till  Astraea  *  alone  was  left,  and 
finally  she  also  took  her  departure. 

*  The  goddess  of  innocence  and  purity.  After  leaving  earth,  she  Wiis 
placed  among  the  stars,  where  she  became  the  constellation  Virgo  — 
the  Virgin.  Themis  (Justice)  was  the  mother  of  Astreea.  She  is 
represented  as  holding  aloft  a  pair  of  scales,  in  which  she  weighs  the 
claims  of  opposing  parties. 

It  was  a  favorite  idea  of  the  old  poets,  that  these  goddesses  would 
one  day  return,  and  bring  back  the  Golden  Age.  Even  in  a  Christiaa 
Hymn,  the  Messiah  of  Pope,  this  idea  occurs. 

"  All  crimes  shall  cease,  and  ancient  fraud  shall  fail, 
Returning  Justice  lift  aloft  her  scale. 
Peace  o'er  the  world  her  olive  wand  extend, 
And  white-robed  Innocence  from  heaven  descend." 
See,  also,  Milton's  Ilymn  to  the  Nativity,  stanzas  xiv.  and  XT. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    nEROES.  29 

Jupiter,  seeing  this  state  of  things,  burned  with  anger. 
He  summoned  the  gods  to  council.  They  obeyed  the  call, 
and  took  the  road  to  the  palace  of  heaven.  The  road, 
which  any  one  may  see  in  a  clear  night,  stretches  across 
the  face  of  the  sky,  and  is  called  the  Milky  Way.  Along 
the  road  stand  the  palaces  of  the  illustrious  gods ;  the  com- 
mon people  of  the  skies  live  apart,  on  either  side.  Jupi- 
ter addressed  the  assembly.  He  set  forth  the  frightful 
condition  of  things  on  the  earth,  and  closed  by  announcing 
his  intention  to  destroy  the  whole  of  its  inhabitants,  and 
provide  a  new  race,  unlike  the  first,  who  would  be  more 
worthy  of  life,  and  much  better  worshippers  of  the  gods. 
So  saying  he  took  a  thunderbolt,  and  was  about  to  launch 
it  at  the  world,  and  destroy  it  by  burning ;  but  recollecting 
the  danger  that  such  a  conflagration  might  set  heaven 
itself  on  fire,  he  changed  his  plan,  and  resolved  to  drown 
it.  The  north  wind,  which  scatters  the  clouds,  was  chained 
up ;  the  south  was  sent  out,  and  soon  covered  all  the  face 
of  heaven  with  a  cloak  of  pitchy  darkness.  The  clouds, 
driven  together,  resound  with  a  crash ;  torrents  of  rain 
fall ;  the  crops  are  laid  low ;  the  year's  labor  of  the  hus- 
bandman perishes  in  an  hour.  Jupiter,  not  satisfied  with 
his  own  waters,  calls  on  his  brother  Neptune  to  aid  him 
with  his.  He  lets  loose  the  rivers,  and  pours  them  over 
the  land.  At  the  same  time,  he  heaves  the  land  with  an 
earthquake,  and  brings  in  the  reflux  of  the  ocean  over  the 
shores.  Flocks,  herds,  men,  and  houses  are  swept  away, 
and  temples,  with  their  sacred  enclosures,  profaned.  If 
any  edifice  remained  standing,  it  was  overwhelmed,  and 
its  turrets  lay  hid  beneath  the  waves.  Now  all  was  sea, 
sea  without  shore.  Here  and  there  an  individual  re- 
mained on  a  projecting  hill-top,  and  a  few,  in  boats,  pulled 
the  oar  where  they  had  lately  driven  the  plough.  The 
3* 


30  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

fishes  swim  among  the  tree-tops ;  the  anchor  is  let  down 
into  a  garden.  Wliere  the  graceful  lambs  played  but  now, 
unwieldy  sea  calves  gambol.  The  wolf  swims  among  the 
sheep,  the  yellow  lions  and  tigers  struggle  in  the  water. 
The  strength  of  the  wild  boar  serves  him  not,  nor  his 
swiftness  the  stag.  The  birds  fall  with  weary  wing  into 
the  water,  having  found  no  land  for  a  resting-place. 
Those  living  beings  whom  the  water  spared  fell  a  prey 
to  hunger. 

Parnassus  alone,  of  all  the  mountains,  overtopped  the 
waves ;  and  there  Deucalion,  and  his  wife  Pyrrha,  of  the 
race  of  Prometheus,  found  refuge  —  he  a  just  man,  and 
she  a  faithful  worshipper  of  the  gods.  Jupiter,  when  he 
saw  none  left  alive  but  this  pair,  and  remembered  their 
harmless  lives  and  pious  demeanor,  ordered  the  north 
winds  to  drive  away  the  clouds,  and  disclose  the  skies  to 
earth,  and  earth  to  the  skies.  Neptune  also  directed 
Triton  to  blow  on  his  shell,  and  sound  a  retreat  to  the 
waters.  The  waters  obeyed,  and  the  sea  returned  to  its 
shores,  and  the  rivers  to  their  channels.  Then  Deucalion 
thus  addressed  Pyrrha :  "  O  wife,  only  surviving  woman, 
joined  to  me  first  by  the  ties  of  kindred  and  maniage, 
and  now  by  a  common  danger,  would  that  we  possessed 
the  power  of  our  ancestor  Prometheus,  and  could  renew 
the  race  as  he  at  first  made  it !  But  as  we  cannot,  let  us 
seek  yonder  temple,  and  inquire  of  the  gods  what  remains 
for  us  to  do."  They  entered  the  temple,  deformed  as  it 
was  with  slime,  and  approached  the  altar,  where  no  fire 
burned.  There  they  fell  prostrate  on  the  earth,  and. 
prayed  the  goddess  to  inform  them  how  they  might  re- 
trieve their  miserable  affairs.  The  oracle  answered, 
"  Depart  from  the  temple  with  head  veiled  and  garments 
unbound,  and  cast  behind  you  the  bones  of  your  mother." 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES.  31 

They  heard  the  words  with  astonishment.  Pyrrha  first 
broke  silence :  "  We  cannot  obey ;  we  dare  not  profane 
the  remains  of  our  parents."  Tliey  sought  the  thickest 
shades  of  the  wood,  and  revolved  the  oracle  in  their 
minds.  At  length  Deucalion  spoke :  "  Either  my  sagacity 
deceives  me,  or  the  command  is  one  we  may  obey  without 
impiety.  The  earth  is  the  great  parent  of  all ;  the  stones 
are  her  bones  ;  these  we  may  cast  behind  us ;  and  I  think 
this  is  what  the  oracle  means.  At  least,  it  will  do  no 
harm  to  try."  They  veiled  their  faces,  unbound  their 
garments,  and  picked  up  stones,  and  cast  them  behind 
them.  The  stones  (wonderful  to  relate)  began  to  grow 
soft,  and  assume  shape.  By  degrees,  they  put  on  a  rude 
resemblance  to  the  human  form,  like  a  block  half  finished 
in  the  hands  of  the  sculptor.  The  moisture  and  slime 
that  were  about  them  became  flesh  ;  the  stony  part  became 
bones ;  the  veins  remained  veins,  retaining  their  name, 
only  changing  their  use.  Those  thrown  by  the  hand  of 
the  man  became  men,  and  those  by  the  woman  became 
women.  It  was  a  hard  race,  and  well  adapted  to  labor, 
as  we  find  ourselves  to  be  at  this  day,  giving  plain  indica- 
tions of  our  origin. 

The  comparison  of  Eve  to  Pandora  is  too  obvious  to 
have  escaped  Milton,  who  introduces  it  in  Book  IV.  of 
Paradise  Lost:  — 

"  More  lovely  than  Pandora,  •whom  the  gods 
Endowed  with  all  their  gifts ;  and  O,  too  like 
In  sad  event,  when  to  the  unwiser  son 
Of  Japhet  brought  by  Hermes,  she  insnared 
Mankind  with  her  fair  looks,  to  be  avenged 
On  him  who  had  stole  Jove's  authentic  fire." 

Prometheus  and  Epimetheus  were  sons  of  lapetus, 
which  Milton  changes  to  Japhet. 


32  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

Prometheus  has  been  a  favorite  subject  with  the  poets. 
He  is  represented  as  the  friend  of  mankind,  who  inter- 
posed in  their  behalf  when  Jove  was  incensed  against 
them,  and  who  taught  them  civilization  and  the  arts. 
But  as,  in  so  doing,  he  transgressed  the  will  of  Jupiter,  he 
drew  down  on  himself  the  anger  of  the  ruler  of  gods  and 
men.  Jupiter  had  him  chained  to  a  rock  on  Mount  Cau- 
casus, where  a  vulture  prejed  on  his  liver,  which  was 
renewed  as  fast  as  devoured.  This  state  of  torment  might 
have  been  brought  to  an  end  at  any  time  by  Prometheus, 
if  he  had  been  willing  to  submit  to  his  oppressor ;  for  he 
possessed  a  secret  which  involved  the  stability  of  Jove's 
throne,  and  if  he  would  have  revealed  it,  he  might  have 
been  at  once  taken  into  favor.  But  that  he  disdained  to 
do.  He  has  therefore  become  the  symbol  of  magnani- 
mous endurance  of  unmerited  suffering,  and  strength  of 
will  resisting  oppression. 

Byron  and  Shelley  have  both  treated  this  theme.  The 
following  are  Byron's  lines  :  — 

"  Titan  !  to  whose  immortal  eyes 
The  sufferings  of  mortality, 
Seen  in  their  sad  reality, 
Were  not  as  things  that  gods  despise ; 
What  was  thy  pity's  recompense  ? 
A  silent  suffering,  and  intense  ; 
The  rock,  the  vulture,  and  the  chain ; 
All  that  the  proud  can  feel  of  pain ; 
The  agony  they  do  not  show  ; 
The  suffocating  sense  of  woe. 

"  Thy  godlike  crime  was  to  be  kind ; 

To  render  with  thy  precepts  less 
The  sum  of  human  •\vretchedness, 
And  strengthen  man  Avith  his  own  mind. 
And,  baffled  as  thou  wert  from  high, 
Still,  in  thy  patient  energy. 


STOUIKS    OF    OODS    AND    ITKROKS.  83 

111  tlic  endurance  and  repulse 

Of  thine  impenetrable  spirit, 
Which  earth  and  heaven  could  not  convulse, 

A  mighty  lesson  we  inherit." 

Byron  also  employs  the  same  allusion,  in  his  ode  to 
Napoleon  Bonaparte :  — 

•'  Or,  like  the  thief  of  fire  from  heaven, 
Wilt  thou  withstand  the  shock  ? 
And  share  with  him  —  the  unforgivcn — . 
His  vulture  and  his  rock  ?  " 


34 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROKS. 


Apollo  and  Python. 


CHAPTER    III. 

APOLLO  AND  DAPHNE  —  PYRAMUS  AND  THISBE- 
CEPHALUS  AND  PRO  CMS. 


The  slime  with  which  the  earth  was  covered  by  the 
waters  of  the  flood  produced  an  excessive  fertility,  which 
called  forth  every  variety  of  production,  both  bad  and 
good.  Among  the  rest.  Python,  an  enormous  serpent,  crept 
forth,  the  terror  of  the  people,  and  lurked  in  the  caves  of 
Mount  Parnassus.  Apollo  slew  him  with  his  arrows  — 
weapons  which  he  had  not  before  used  against  any  but 
feeble  animals,  hares,  wild  goats,  and  such  game.      In 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  35 

commemoration  of  this  illustrious  conquest  he  instituted  the 
Pythian  games,  in  which  the  victor  in  feats  of  strength, 
swiftness  of  foot,  or  in  the  chariot  race,  was  crowned  with 
a  wreath  of  beech  leaves;  for  the  laurel  was  not  yet 
adopted  by  Apollo  as  his  own  tree. 

The  famous  statue  of  Apollo  called  the  Belvedere  rep- 
resents the  god  after  this  victory  over  the  serpent  Python. 
To  this  Byron  alludes  in  his  Childe  Harold,  iv.  161  :  — 

"  The  lord  of  the  unerring  bow, 
The  god  of  life,  and  poetry,  and  light. 
The  Sun,  in  human  limbs  arrayed,  and  brow 
AU  radiant  from  his  triumph  in  the  fight. 
The  shaft  has  just  been  shot ;  the  arrow  bright 
With  an  immortal's  vengeance ;  in  his  eye 
And  nostril,  beautiful  disdain,  and  might, 
And  majesty  flash  their  full  liglitnings  by, 
Developing  in  that  one  glance  the  Deity." 


APOLLO   AND   DAPHNE. 

Daphne  was  Apollo's  first  love.  It  was  not  brought 
about  by  accident,  but  by  the  malice  of  Cupid.  Apollo 
saw  the  boy  playing  with  his  bow  and  arrows  ;  and  being 
himself  elated  with  his  recent  victory  over  Python,  he  said 
to  him,  "  What  have  you  to  do  with  warlike  weapons, 
saucy  boy  ?  Leave  them  for  hands  worthy  of  them.  Behold 
the  conquest  I  have  won  by  means  of  them  over  the  vast 
serpent  who  stretched  his  poisonous  body  over  acres  of 
the  plain  !  Be  content  with  your  torch,  child,  and  kindle 
up  your  flames,  as  you  call  them,  where  you  will,  but  pre- 
sume not  to  meddle  with  my  weapons." 

'Venus's  boy  heard  these  words,  and  rejoined,  "Your 
arrows  may  strike  all  things  else,  Apollo,  but  mine  shall 
strike  you."     So  saying,  he  took  his  stand  on  a  rock  of 


36  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Parnassus,  and  drew  from  his  quiver  two  arrows  of  differ- 
ent workmanship,  one  to  excite  love,  the  other  to  repel 
it.  The  former  was  of  gold  and  sharp  pointed,  the  latter 
blunt  and  tipped  with  lead.  With  the  leaden  shaft  he 
struck  the  nymph  Daphne,  the  daughter  of  the  river  god 
Peneus,  and  with  the  golden  one  Apollo,  through  the  heart. 
Forthwith  the  god  was  seized  with  love  for  the  maiden, 
and  she  abhon-ed  the  thought  of  loving.  Her  delight  was 
in  woodland  sports  and  in  the  spoils  of  the  chase.  Many 
lovers  sought  her,  but  she  spurned  them  all,  ranging  the 
woods,  and  taking  no  thought  of  Cupid  nor  of  Hymen. 
Her  father  often  said  to  her,  "  Daughter,  you  owe  me  a 
son-in-law ;  you  owe  me  grandchildren."  She,  hating  the 
thought  of  marriage  as  a  crime,  with  her  beautiful  face 
tinged  all  over  with  blushes,  threw  her  arms  around  her 
father's  neck,  and  said,  "  Dearest  father,  grant  me  this 
favor,  that  I  may  always  remain  unmari'ied,  like  Diana." 
He  consented,  but  at  the  same  time  said,  "  Your  o'vvn  face 
will  forbid  it." 

Apollo  loved  her,  and  longed  to  obtain  her ;  and  he  who 
gives  oracles  to  all  the  world  was  not  wise  enough  to  look 
into  his  own  fortunes.  He  saw  her  hair  flung  loose  over 
her  shoulders,  and  said,  "If  so  charming  in  disorder, 
what  would  it  be  if  arranged  ?  "  He  saw  her  eyes  bright 
as  stars ;  he  saw  her  lips,  and  was  not  satisfied  with  only 
seeing  them.  He  admired  her  hands  and  arms,  naked  to 
the  shoulder,  and  whatever  was  hidden  from  view  he 
ipaagined  more  beautiful  still.  He  followed  her ;  she  fled, 
swifter  than  the  wind,  and  delayed  not  a  moment  at  his 
entreaties.  "  Stay,"  said  he,  "  daughter  of  Peneus  ;  I  am 
not  a  foe.  Do  not  fly  me  as  a  lamb  flies  the  wolf,  or  a 
dove  the  hawk.  It  is  for  love  I  pursue  you.  You  make 
me  miserable,  for  fear  you  should  fall  and  hurt  yourself  on 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  37 

these  stones,  and  I  should  be  the  cause.  Pray  run  slower, 
and  I  will  follow  slower.  I  am  no  clown,  r»o  rude  peas- 
ant. Jupiter  is  my  father,  and  I  am  lord  of  Delphos  and. 
Tenedos,  and  know  all  things,  present  and  future.  I  am 
the  god  of  song  and  the  lyre.  My  arrows  fly  true  to  the 
mark ;  but  alas  !  an  arrow  more  fatal  than  mine  has 
pierced  my  heart !  I  am  tlie  god  of  medicine,  and  know 
the  virtues  of  all  healing  plants.  Alas !  I  suifer  a  mal- 
ady that  no  balm  can  cure  !  " 

The  nymph  continued  her  flight,  and  left  his  plea  half 
uttered.  And  even  as  she  fled  she  charmed  him.  The  wind 
blew  her  garments,  and  her  unbound  hair  streamed  loose 
behind  her.  The  god  grew  impatient  to  find  his  wooings 
thrown  away,  and,  sped  by  Cupid,  gained  upon  her  in  the 
race.  It  was  like  a  hound  pursuing  a  hare,  with  open 
jaws  ready  to  seize,  while  the  feebler  animal  darts  for- 
ward, slipping  fi'om  the  very  grasp.  So  flew  the  god  and 
the  virgin  —  he  on  the  wings  of  love,  and  she  on  those  of 
fear.  The  pursuer  is  the  more  rapid,  however,  and  gains 
upon  her,  and  his  panting  breath  blows  upon  her  hair. 
Her  strength  begins  to  fail,  and,  ready  to  sink,  she  calls 
upon  her  father,  the  river  god:  "Help  me,  Peneus!  open 
the  earth  to  enclose  me,  or  change  my  form,  which  has 
brought  me  into  this  danger  !  "  Scarcely  had  she  spoken, 
when  a  stiffness  seized  all  her  limbs ;  her  bosom  began  to 
be  enclosed  in  a  tender  bark ;  her  hair  became  leaves ; 
her  arms  became  branches ;  her  foot  stuck  fast  in  the 
ground,  as  a  root ;  her  face  became  a  tree-top,  retaining 
nothing  of  its  former  self  but  its  beauty.  Apollo  stood 
amazed.  He  touched  the  stem,  and  felt  the  flesh  tremble 
under  the  new  bark.  He  embraced  the  branches,  and 
lavished  kisstis  on  the  wood.  The  branches  shrank  from 
his  lips.  "  Since  you  cannot  be  my  wife,"  said  he,  "  you 
4 


38  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

shall  assuredly  be  my  tree.  I  will  wear  you  for  my  crown  ; 
I  will  decorate  with  you  my  harp  and  my  quiver ;  and 
when  the  great  Roman  conquerors  lead  up  the  triumphal 
pomp  to  the  Capitol,  you  shall  be  woven  into  wreaths  for 
their  brows.  And,  as  eternal  youth  is  mine,  you  also  shall 
be  always  green,  and  your  leaf  know  no  decay."  The 
nymph,  now  changed  into  a  Laurel  tree,  bowed  its  head 
in  grateful  acknowledgment. 

That  Apollo  should  be  the  god  both  of  music  and  po- 
etry will  not  appear  strange,  but  that  medicine  should 
also  be  assigned  to  his  province,  may.  The  poet  Arm- 
strong, himself  a  physician,  thus  accounts  for  it :  — 

"  Music  exalts  each  joy,  allays  each  grief, 
Expels  diseases,  softens  every  pain  ; 
And  hence  the  wise  of  ancient  days  adored 
One  power  of  physic,  melody,  and  song." 

The  story  of  Apollo  and  Daphne  is  often  alluded  to  by 
the  poets.  Waller  applies  it  to  the  case  of  one  whose 
amatory  verses,  though  they  did  not  soften  the  heart  of 
his  mistress,  yet  won  for  the  poet  wide-spread  fame. 

"  Yet  what  he  sung  in  his  immortal  strain, 
Though  unsuccessful,  was  not  sung  in  vain. 
All  but  the  nymph  that  should  redress  his  wrong, 
Attend  his  passion  and  approve  his  song. 
Like  Phoebus  thus,  acquiring  xmsought  praise. 
He  caught  at  love  and  filled  his  anns  with  bays." 

The  following  stanza  from  Shelley's  Adonais  alludes 
to  Byron's  early  quai'rel  with  the  reviewers :  — 

♦'  The  herded  wolves,  bold  only  to  pursue ; 
The  obscene  ravens,  clamorous  o'er  the  dead ; 
The  vultures,  to  the  conqueror's  banner  true, 
Who  feed  where  Desolation  first  has  fed. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEItOES.  39 

And  wliose  wings  rain  contagion  ;  how  they  fled, 
When  like  Apollo,  from  his  golden  bow, 
The  Pythian  of  the  age  one  arrow  sped 
And  smiled !     The  spoilers  tempt  no  second  blow  ; 
They  fawn  on  the  proud  feet  that  spurn  them  as  they  go." 


PYRAMUS   AND  THISBE. 

Pyramus  was  the  handsomest  youth,  and  Thisbe  the 
fairest  maiden,  in  all  Babylonia,  where  Semiramis  reigned. 
Their  parents  occupied  adjoining  houses ;  and  neighbor- 
hood brought  the  young  people  together,  and  acquaintance 
ripened  into  love.  They  would  gladly  have  married,  but 
their  parents  forbade.  One  thing  however  they  could 
not  forbid  —  that  love  should  glow  with  equal  ardor  in  the 
bosoms  of  both.  They  conversed  by  signs  and  glances, 
and  the  fire  burned  more  intensely  for  being  covered  up. 
In  the  wall  that  parted  the  two  houses  there  was  a  crack, 
caused  by  some  fault  in  the  structure.  No  one  had  re- 
marked it  before,  but  the  lovers  discovered  it.  What  will 
not  love  discover !  It  afforded  a  passage  to  the  voice ; 
and  tender  messages  used  to  pass  backward  and  forward 
through  the  gap.  As  they  stood,  Pyramus  on  this  side, 
Thisbe  on  that,  their  breaths  would  mingle.  "  Cruel 
wall,"  they  said,  "  why  do  you  keep  two  lovers  apart  ? 
But  we  will  not  be  ungrateful.  We  owe  you,  we  confess, 
the  privilege  of  transmitting  loving  words  to  willing  ears." 
Such  words  they  uttered  on  different  sides  of  the  wall ; 
and  when  night  came  and  they  must  say  farewell,  they 
pressed  their  lips  upon  the  wall,  she  on  her  side,  he  on 
his,  as  they  could  come  no  nearer. 

Next  morning,  when  Aurora  had  put  out  the  stars,  and 
the  sun  had  melted  the  frost  from  the  grass,  they  met  at 
the  accustomed  spot.     Then,  after  lamenting  their  hai'd 


40  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEKOES. 

fate,  they  agreed  that  next  night,  wlien  all  was  still,  they 
would  slip  away  from  watchful  eyes,  leave  their  dwellings 
and  walk  out  into  the  fields ;  and  to  insure  a  meeting, 
repair  to  a  well-known  edifice,  standing  without  the  city's 
bounds,  called  the  Tomb  of  Ninus,  and  that  the  one  who 
came  first  should  await  the  other  at  the  foot  of  a  certain 
tree.  It  was  a  white  mulberry  tree,  and  stood  near  a  cool 
spring.  All  was  agreed  on,  and  they  waited  impatiently 
for  the  sun  to  go  down  beneath  the  waters  and  night  to 
rise  up  from  them.  Then  cautiously  Thisbe  stole  forth, 
unobserved  by  the  family,  her  head  covered  with  a  veil, 
made  her  way  to  the  monument  and  sat  down  under  the 
tree.  As  she  sat  alone  in  the  dim  light  of  the  evening 
she  descried  a  lioness,  her  jaws  reeking  with  recent 
slaughter,  approaching  the  fountain  to  slake  her  thirst. 
Thisbe  fled  at  the  sight,  and  sought  refuge  in  the  hollow 
of  a  rock.  As  she  fled  she  dropped  her  veil.  The  lion- 
ess, after  drinking  at  the  spring,  turned  to  retreat  to  the 
woods,  and  seeing  the  veil  on  the  ground,  tossed  and  rent 
it  with  her  bloody  mouth. 

Pyramus,  having  been  delayed,  now  approached  the 
place  of  meeting.  He  saw  in  the  sand  the  footsteps  of 
the  lion,  and  the  color  fled  from  his  cheeks  at  the  sight. 
Presently  he  found  the  veil  all  rent  and  bloody.  "  O, 
hapless  girl,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been  the  cause  of  thy 
death !  Thou,  more  worthy  of  life  than  I,  hast  fallen  the 
first  victim.  I  will  follow.  I  am  the  guilty  cause,  in 
tempting  thee  forth  to  a  place  of  such  peril,  and  not  being 
myself  on  the  spot  to  guard  thee.  Come  forth,  ye  lions, 
from  the  rocks,  and  tear  this  guilty  body  with  your  teeth." 
He  took  up  the  veil,  carried  it  with  him  to  the  appointed 
tree,  and  covered  it  with  kisses  and  with  tears.  "  My 
blood  also  shall  stain  your  texture,"  said  he,  and  draw- 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  41 

ing  his   sword  plunged  it  into    his    heart.     The   blood 
spirted  from  the  wound,  and  tinged  the  white  mulberries 
of  the  tree  all  red ;  and  sinking  into  the  earth  reachec^ 
the  roots,  so  that  the  red  color  mounted  through  the  trunk 
to  the  fruit. 

By  this  time,  Thisbe,  still  trembling  with  fear,  yet  wish- 
ing not  to  disappoint  her  lover,  stepped  cautiously  forth, 
looking  anxiously  for  the  youth,  eager  to  tell  him  the 
danger  she  had  escaped.  When  she  came  to  the  spot 
and  saw  the  changed  color  of  the  mulberries  she  doubted 
whether  it  was  the  same  place.  While  she  hesitated  she 
saw  the  form  of  one  struggling  in  the  agonies  of  death. 
She  started  back,  a  shudder  ran  through  her  frame  as  a 
ripple  on  the  face  of  the  still  water  when  a  sudden  breeze 
sweeps  over  it.  But  as  soon  as  she  recognized  her  lover, 
she  screamed  and  beat  her  breast ;  embracing  the  lifeless 
body,  pouring  tears  into  its  wounds,  and  imprinting  kisses 
on  the  cold  lips.  "  0,  Pyramus,"  she  cried,  "  what  has 
done  this  ?  Answer  me,  Pyramus  ;  it  is  your  own  Thisbe 
that  speaks.  Hear  me,  dearest,  and  lift  that  drooping 
head ! "  At  the  name  of  Thisbe  Pyramus  opened  his 
eyes,  then  closed  them  again.  She  saw  her  veil  stained 
with  blood  and  the  scabbard  empty  of  its  sword.  "  Thy 
own  hand  has  slain  thee,  and  for  my  sake,"  she  said. 
"  I  too  can  be  brave  for  once,  and  my  love  is  as  strong 
as  tiiine.  I  will  follow  thee  in  death,  for  I  have  been  the 
cause ;  and  death,  which  alone  could  part  us,  shall  not 
prevent  my  joining  thee.  And  ye,  unhappy  parents  of 
us  both,  deny  us  not  our  united  request.  As  love  and 
death  have  joined  us,  let  one  tomb  contain  us.  And  thou, 
tree,  retain  the  marks  of  slaughter.  Let  thy  berries  still 
serve  for  memorials  of  our  blood."  So  saying  she 
plunged  the  sword  into  her  breast.  Her  parents  ratified 
4« 


4^  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

her  wish,  the  gods  also  ratified  it.  The  two  bodies  were 
buried  in  one  sepulchre,  and  the  tree  ever  after  brought 
forth  purple  berries,  as  it  does  to  this  day. 

Moore,  in  the  Sylph's  Ball,  speaking  of  Davy's  Safety 
Lamp,  is  reminded  of  the  wall  that  separated  Thisbe  and 
her  lover: — 

"  0  for  that  Lamp's  metallic  gauze, 
That  cxirtain  of  protecting  wire, 
"Which  Davy  delicately  draws 
Around  illicit,  dangerous  fire ! 

•'  The  wall  he  sets  'twixt  Flame  and  Air, 

(Like  that  which  barred  young  Thisbe's  bliss,) 
Through  whose  small  holes  this  dangerous  pair 
May  see  each  other,  but  not  kiss." 

In  Mickle's  translation  of  the  Lusiad  occurs  the  follow- 
ing allusion  to  the  story  of  Pyramus  and  Thisbe,  and  the 
metamorphosis  of  the  mulberries.  The  poet  is  describing 
the  Island  of  Love. 

" here  each  gift  Pomona's  hand  bestows 

In  cultured  garden,  free  uncultured  flows. 
The  flavor  sweeter  and  the  hue  more  fair 
Than  e'er  was  fostered  by  the  hand  of  care. 
The  cherry  here  in  shining  crimson  glows, 
And  stained  with  lovers'  blood,  in  pendent  rows, 
The  mulberries  o'erload  the  bending  boughs." 

If  any  of  our  young  readers  can  be  so  hard-hearted  as 
to  enjoy  a  laugh  at  the  expense  of  poor  Pyramus  and 
Thisbe,  they  may  find  an  opportunity  by  turning  to  Shak- 
speare's  play  of  the  Midsummer  Night's  Dream,  where 
it  is  most  amusingly  burlesqued. 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES.  43 


CEPHALUS   AND   PROCRIS. 

Cephalus  was  a  beautiful  youth  and  fond  of  manly 
sports.  He  would  rise  before  the  dawn  to  pursue  the 
chase.  Aurora  saw  him  when  she  first  looked  forth,  fell 
in  love  with  him  and  stole  him  away.  But  Cephalus  was 
just  married  to  a  chavming  wife  whom  he  devotedly 
loved.  Her  name  was  Procris.  She  was  a  favorite  of 
Diana,  the  goddess  of  hunting,  who  had  given  her  a  dog 
which  could  outrun  every  rival,  and  a  javelin  wliich 
would  never  fail  of  its  mark ;  and  Procris  •  gave  these 
presents  to  her  husband.  Cephalus  was  so  happy  in  his 
wife  that  he  resisted  all  the  entreaties  of  Aurora,  and  she 
finally  dismissed  him  in  displeasure,  saying,  "  Go,  un- 
grateful mortal,  keep  your  wife,  whom,  if  I  am  not  much 
mistaken,  you  will  one  day  be  very  sorry  you  ever  saw 
again." 

Cephalus  returned,  and  was  as  happy  as  ever  in  his 
wife  and  his  woodland  sports.  Now  it  happened  some 
angry  deity  had  sent  a  ravenous  fox  to  annoy  the  country ; 
and  the  hunters  turned  out  in  great  strength  to  capture  it. 
Their  efforts  were  aU  in  vain  ;  no  dog  could  run  it  down ; 
and  at  last  they  came  to  Cephalus  to  borrow  his  famous 
dog,  whose  name  was  Lelaps.  No  sooner  was  the  dog  let 
loose  than  he  darted  off,  quicker  than  their  eye  could  fol- 
low him.  If  they  had  not  seen  his  footprints  in  the  sand 
they  would  have  thought  he  flew.  Cephalus  and  others 
stood  on  a  hill  and  saw  the  race.  The  fox  tried  every 
art ;  he  ran  in  a  circle  and  turned  on  his  track,  the  dog 
close  upon  him,  with  open  jaws,  snappuig  at  his  heels,  but 
biting  only  the  air.  Cephalus  was  about  to  use  his  jave- 
lin, when  suddenly  he  saw  both  dog  and  game  stop  in- 


44  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

stantly.  The  heavenly  powers  who  had  given  both,  were 
not  willing  that  either  should  conquer.  In  the  very  atti- 
tude of  life  and  action  they  were  turned  into  stone.  So 
lifelike  and  natural  did  they  look,  you  would  have 
thought,  as  you  looked  at  them,  that  one  was  going  to 
bark,  the  other  to  leap  forward. 

Cephalus,  though  he  had  lost  his  dog,  still  continued  to 
take  dehght  in  the  chase.  He  would  go  out  at  early 
morning,  ranging  the  woods  and  hills  unaccompanied  by 
any  one,  needing  no  help,  for  his  javelin  was  a  sure 
weapon  in  all  cases.  Fatigued  with  hunting,  when  the 
sun  got  high  he  would  seek  a  shady  nook  where  a 
cool  stream  flowed,  and,  stretched  on  the  grass,  with  his 
garments  thrown  aside,  would  enjoy  the  breeze.  Some- 
times he  would  say  aloud,  "  Come,  sweet  breeze,  come 
and  fan  my  breast,  come  and  allay  the  heat  that  burns 
me."  Some  one  passing  by  one  day  heard  him  talking  in 
this  way  to  the  air,  and,  foolishly  believing  that  he  was 
talking  to  some  maiden,  went  and  told  the  secret  to  Pro- 
cris,  Cephalus's  wife.  Love  is  credulous.  Procris,  at 
the  sudden  shock,  fainted  away.  Presently  recovering, 
she  said,  "  It  cannot  be  true ;  I  will  not  believe  it  unless 
I  myself  am  a  witness  to  it."  So  she  waited,  witi  anx- 
ious heart,  till  the  next  morning,  when  Cephalus  went  to 
hunt  as  usual.  Then  she  stole  out  after  him,  and  con- 
cealed herself  in  the  place  where  the  informer  directed 
her.  Cephalus  came  as  he  was  wont  when  tired  with 
sport,  and  stretched  himself  on  the  green  bank,  saying, 
"  Come,  sweet  breeze,  come  and  fan  me ;  you  know  how 
I  love  you !  you  make  the  groves  and  my  solitary  ram- 
bles delightful."  He  was  running  on  in  this  way  when 
he  heard,  or  thought  he  heard,  a  sound  as  of  a  sob  in  the 
bushes.     Supposing  it  some  wild  animal,  he   threw  his 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  45 

javelin  at  the  spot.  A  cry  fi-otn  his  beloved  Procris  told 
him  that  the  \veaj)on  Iiad  too  surely  met  its  mark.  He 
rushed  to  the  place,  and  found  her  bleeding,  and  with 
sinking  strength  endeavoring  to  draw  forth  from  the 
wound  the  javelin,  her  own  gift.  Cephalus  raised  her 
from  the  earth,  strove  to  stanch  the  blood,  and  called  her 
to  revive  and  not  to  leave  him  miserable,  to  reproach 
himself  with  her  death.  She  opened  her  feeble  eyes, 
and  forced  herself  to  utter  these  few  words :  "  I  implore 
you,  if  you  have  ever  loved  me,  if  I  have  ever  de- 
served kindness  at  your  hands,  my  husband,  grant  me  this 
last  request ;  do  not  marry  that  odious  Breeze !  "  This 
disclosed  the  whole  mystery :  but  alas !  what  advantage 
to  disclose  it  now  ?  She  died  ;  but  her  face  wore  a  calm 
expression,  and  she  looked  pityingly  and  forgivingly  on 
her  husband  when  he  made  her  understand  the  truth. 

Moore,  in  his  Legendary  Ballads,  has  one  on  Cephalus 
and  Procris,  beginning  thus :  — 

"  A  hunter  once  in  a  grove  reclined, 

To  shun  the  noon's  bright  eye, 
And  oft  he  wooed  the  wandering  wind 

To  cool  his  brow  with  its  sigh. 
While  mute  lay  even  the  wild  bee's  hum, 

Nor  breath  could  stir  the  aspen's  hair, 
His  song  was  stiU,  '  Sweet  Air,  O  come ! ' 

While  Echo  answered, '  Come,  sweet  Air ! '  " 


46  STORIES    OF    OODS    AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER    I  Y. 

JUNO  AND  HER  RIVALS,  10  AND  CALLISTO— DIANA 
AND  ACTION  — LATONA  AND  THE   RUSTICS. 

Juno  one  day  perceived  it  suddenly  grow  dark,  and 
immediately  suspected  that  her  husband  had  raised  a 
cloud  to  hide  some  of  his  doings  that  would  not  bear  the 
light.  She  brushed  away  the  cloud,  and  saw  her  husband, 
on  the  banks  of  a  glassy  river,  with  a  beautiful  heifer 
standing  near  him.  Juno  suspected  the  heifer's  form  con- 
cealed some  fair  nymph  of  mortal  mould,  —  as  was,  indeed, 
the  case  ;  for  it  was  lo,  the  daughter  of  the  river  god  Ina- 
chus,  whom  Jupiter  had  been  flirting  with,  and,  when  he 
became  aware  of  the  approach  of  his  wife,  had  changed 
into  that  form. 

Juno  joined  her  husband,  and  noticing  the  heifer 
praised  its  beauty,  and  asked  whose  it  was,  and  of  what 
herd.  Jupiter,  to  stop  questions,  replied  that  it  was  a 
fresh  creation  from  the  earth.  Juno  asked  to  have  it  as  a 
gift.  What  could  Jupiter  do  ?  He  was  loath  to  give  his 
mistress  to  his  wife ;  yet  how  refuse  so  trifling  a  present 
as  a  simple  heifer?  He  could  not,  without  exciting  sus- 
picion ;  so  he  consented.  The  goddess  was  not  yet  re- 
lieved of  her  suspicions ;  so  she  delivered  the  heifer  to 
Argus,  to  be  strictly  watched. 

Now  Argus  had  a  hundred  eyes  in  his  head,  and  never 
went  to  sleep  with  more  than  two  at  a  time,  so  that  he 
kept  watch  of  lo   constantly.     He  suffered  her  to  feed 


STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  47 

through  the  day,  and  at  night  tied  her  up  with  a  vile 
rope  round  her  neck.  She  would  have  stretched  out  her 
arms  to  implore  freedom  of  Argus,  but  she  had  no  arms 
to  stretch  out,  and  her  voice  was  a  bellow  that  frightened 
even  herself.  She  saw  her  father  and  her  sisters,  went 
near  them,  and  suffered  them  to  pat  her  back,  and  heard 
them  admire  her  beautjj.  Her  father  reached  her  a  tuft 
of  grass,  and  she  licked  the  outstretched  hand.  She 
longed  to  make  herself  known  to  him,  and  would  have 
uttered  her  wish ;  but,  alas  !  words  were  wanting.  At 
length  she  bethought  herself  of  writing,  and  inscribed 
her  name  —  it  was  a  short  one  —  with  her  hoof  on  the 
sand.  Inachus  recognized  it,  and  discovering  that  his 
daughter,  whom  he  had  long  sought  in  vain,  was  hidden 
under  this  disguise,  mourned  over  her,  and,  embracing 
her  white  neck,  exclaimed,  "  Alas !  my  daughter,  it  would 
have  been  a  less  grief  to  have  lost  you  altogether ! " 
"While  he  thus  lamented,  Argus,  observing,  came  and 
drove  her  away,  and  took  his  seat  on  a  high  bank,  from 
whence  he  could  see  all  round  in  every  direction. 

Jupiter  was  troubled  at  beholding  the  sufferings  of  his 
mistress,  and  calling  Mercury  told  him  to  go  and  despatch 
Argus.  Mercury  made  haste,  put  his  winged  slippers  on 
his  feet,  and  cap  on  his  head,  took  his  sleep-producing 
wand,  and  leaped  down  from  the  heavenly  towers  to  the 
earth.  There  he  laid  aside  his  wings,  and  kept  only  his 
wand,  with  which  he  presented  himself  as  a  shepherd 
driving  his  flock.  As  he  strolled  on  he  blew  upon  his 
pipes.  These  were  what  are  called  the  Syrinx  or  Pan- 
dean pipes.  Argus  listened  with  delight,  for  he  had  never 
seen  the  instrument  before.  "•  Young  man,"  said  he, 
"  come  and  take  a  seat  by  me  on  this  stone.  There  is 
no  better  place  for  your  flock  to  graze  in  than  hereabouts, 


48  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

and  here  is  a  pleasant  shade  such  as  shepherds  love." 
Mercury  sat  down,  talked,  and  told  stories  till  it  grew  late, 
and  played  upon  his  pipes  his  most  soothing  strains,  hop- 
ing to  lull  the  watchful  eyes  to  sleep,  but  all  in  vain  ;  for 
Argus  still  contrived  to  keep  some  of  his  eyes  open 
though  he  shut  the  rest. 

Among  other  stories,  Mercury  told  him  how  the  instru- 
ment on  which  he  played  was  invented.  "  There  was  a 
certain  nymph,  whose  name  was  Syrinx,  who  was  much 
beloved  by  the  satyrs  and  spirits  of  the  Avood ;  but  she 
would  have  none  of  them,  but  was  a  faithful  worshipper 
of  Diana,  and  followed  the  chase.  You  would  have 
thought  it  was  Diana  herself,  had  you  seen  her  in  her 
hunting  dress,  only  that  her  bow  was  of  horn  and  Diana's 
of  silver.  One  day,  as  she  was  returning  from  the  chase, 
Pan  met  her,  told  her  just  this,  and  added  more  of  the 
same  sort.  She  ran  away,  without  stopping  to  hear  his 
compliments,  and  he  pursued  till  she  came  to  the  bank  of 
the  river,  where  he  overtook  her,  and  she  had  only  time 
to  call  for  help  on  her  friends  the  water  nymphs.  They 
heard  and  consented.  Pan  threw  his  arms  around  what 
he  supposed  to  be  the  form  of  the  nymph,  and  found  he 
embraced  only  a  tuft  of  reeds  !  As  he  breathed  a  sigh, 
the  air  sounded  through  the  reeds,  and  produced  a  plain- 
tive melody.  The  god,  charmed  with  the  novelty,  and 
with  the  sweetness  of  the  music,  said,  '  Thus,  then,  at 
least,  you  shall  be  mine.'  And  he  took  some  of  the 
reeds,  and  placing  them  together,  of  unequal  lengths,  side 
by  side,  made  an  instrument  which  he  called  Syrinx, 
in  honor  of  the  nymph."  Before  Mercury  had  finished 
his  story  he  saw  Argus's  eyes  all  asleep.  As  his  head 
nodded  forward  on  his  breast,  Mercury  with  one  stroke 
cut  his  neck  through,  and  tumbled  his  head  down  the 
rocks.     O,  hapless  Argus  !  the  light  of  your  hundred  eyes 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  49 

is  quenched  at  once  !  Juno  took  them  and  put  them  as 
ornaments  on  the  tail  of  her  peacock,  where  they  remain 
to  this  day. 

But  the  vengeance  of  Juno  was  not  yet  satiated.  She 
sent  a  gadfly  to  torment  lo,  who  fled  over  the  whole 
world  from  its  pursuit.  She  swam  through  the  Ionian 
Sea,  which  derived  its  name  from  her,  then  roamed  over 
the  plains  of  Illyria,  ascended  Mount  Hsemus,  and  crossed 
the  Thracian  strait,  thence  named  the  Bosphorus,  (cow- 
ford,)  rambled  on  through  Scythia,  and  the  country  of  the 
Cimmerians,  and  arrived  at  last  on  the  banks  of  the  Nile. 
At  length  Jupiter  interceded  for  her,  and  upon  his  prom- 
ising not  to  pay  her  any  more  attentions  Juno  consented 
to  restore  her  to  her  form.  It  was  curious  to  see  her 
gradually  recover  her  former  self.  The  coarse  hairs 
fell  from  her  body,  her  horns  shrank  up,  her  eyes  grew 
narrower,  her  mouth  shorter;  hands  and  fingers  came 
instead  of  hoofs  to  her  fore  feet ;  in  fine  there  was  noth- 
ing left  of  the  heifer,  except  her  beauty.  At  first  she 
was  afraid  to  speak  for  fear  she  should  low,  but  gradually 
she  recovered  her  confidence  and  was  restored  to  her 
father  and  sisters. 

In  a  poem  dedicated  to  Leigh  Hunt,  by  Keats,  the  fol- 
lowing allusion  to  the  story  of  Pan  and  Syrinx  occurs :  — 

"  So  did  he  feel  who  pulled  the  boughs  aside, 
That  we  might  look  into  a  forest  wide, 
«  *  «  « 

Telling  us  how  fair  trembling  Sjirinx  fled 

Arcadian  Pan,  with  such  a  fearful  dread. 

Poor  nymph  —  poor  Pan  —  how  he  did  weep  to  find 

Nought  but  a  lovely  sighing  of  the  wind 

Along  the  reedy  stream  ;  a  half-heard  strain, 

Full  of  sweet  desolation,  balmy  pain." 

5 


50  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 


CALLISTO. 

Callisto  was  another  maiden  who  excited  the  jealousy 
of  Juno,  and  the  goddess  changed  her  into  a  bear. 
"I  will  take  away,"  said  she,  "that  beauty  with  which 
you  have  captivated  my  husband."  Down  fell  Callisto 
on  her  hands  and  knees ;  she  tried  to  stretch  out  her  arms 
in  supplication,  —  they  were  already  beginning  to  be  cov- 
ered with  black  hair.  Her  hands  grew  rounded,  became 
armed  with  crooked  claws,  and  served  for  feet;  her 
mouth,  which  Jove  used  to  praise  for  its  beauty,  became 
a  horrid  pair  of  jaws ;  her  voice,  which  if  unchanged 
would  have  moved  the  heart  to  pity,  became  a  growl, 
more  fit  to  inspire  terror.  Yet  her  former  disposition 
remained,  and  with  continual  groaning,  she  bemoaned  her 
fate,  and  stood  upright  as  well  as  she  could,  lifting  up  her 
paws  to  beg  for  mercy ;  and  felt  that  Jove  was  unkind, 
though  she  could  not  tell  him  so.  Ah,  how  often,  afraid 
to  stay  in  the  woods  all  night  alone,  she  wandered  about 
the  neighborhood  of  her  former  haunts ;  how  often,  fright- 
ened by  the  dogs,  did  she,  so  lately  a  huntress,  fly  in  terror 
from  the  hunters  !  Often  she  fled  from  the  wild  beasts, 
forgetting  that  she  was  now  a  wild  beast  herself;  and, 
bear  as  she  was,  was  afraid  of  the  bears. 

One  day  a  youth  espied  her  as  he  was  hunting.  She 
saw  him  and  recognized  him  as  her  own  son,  now  grown 
a  young  man.  She  stopped  and  felt  inclined  to  embrace 
him.  As  she  was  about  to  approach,  he,  alarmed,  raised 
his  hunting  spear,  and  was  on  the  point  of  transfix- 
ing her,  when  Jupiter,  beholding,  arrested  the  crime,  and 
snatching  away  both  of  them,  placed  them  in  the  heavens 
as  the  Great  and  Little  Bear. 


STOKIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  51 

Juno  was  in  a  rage  to  see  her  rival  so  set  in  honor,  and 
hastened  to  ancient  Tethys  and  Oceanus,  the  powers  of 
ocean,  and  in  answer  to  their  inquiries,  thus  told  the  cause 
of  her  coming.  "  Do  you  ask  why  I,  the  queen  of  the 
gods,  have  left  the  heavenly  plains  and  sought  your 
depths.  Leani  that  I  am  supplanted  in  heaven,  —  my 
place  is  given  to  another.  You  will  hardly  believe  me ; 
but  look  when  night  darkens  the  world,  and  you  shall  see 
the  two  of  whom  I  have  so  much  reason  to  complain 
exalted  to  the  heavens,  in  that  part  where  the  circle  is  the 
smallest,  m  the  neighborhood  of  the  pole.  Why  should 
any  one  hereafter  tremble  at  the  thought  of  offending 
Juno,  when  such  rewards  are  the  consequence  of  my  dis- 
pleasure !  See  what  I  have  been  able  to  effect !  I  for- 
bade her  to  wear  the  human  form,  —  she  is  placed  among 
the  stars !  So  do  my  punishments  result,  —  such  is  the 
extent  of  my  power !  Better  that  she  should  have  re- 
sumed her  former  shape,  as  I  permitted  lo  to  do.  Per- 
haps he  means  to  marry  her,  and  put  me  away !  But 
you,  my  foster-parents,  if  you  feel  for  me,  and  see  with 
displeasure  this  unworthy  treatment  of  me,  show  it,  I 
beseech  you,  by  forbidding  this  guilty  couple  from  coming 
into  your  waters."  The  powers  of  the  ocean  assented, 
and  consequently  the  two  constellations  of  the  Great  and 
Little  Bear  move  round  and  round  in  heaven,  but  never 
sink,  as  the  other  stars  do,  beneath  the  ocean. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  fact  that  the  constellation  of  the 
Bear  never  sets,  when  he  says  — 

"  Let  my  lamp  at  midnight  hour 
Be  seen  in  some  high  lonely  tower, 
Where  I  may  oft  outwatch  the  Bear,"  &c. 


82  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

And  Prometheus,  in  J.  R.  Lowell's  poem,  says, — 

"  One  after  one  the  stars  have  risen  and  set, 
Sparkling  upon  the  hoar  frost  of  ray  chain ; 
The  Bear  that  prowled  all  night  about  the  fold 
Of  the  North-star,  hath  shrunk  into  his  den. 
Scared  by  the  blithesome  footsteps  of  the  Dawn." 

The  last  star  in  the  tail  of  the  Little  Bear  is  the  Pole- 
star,  called  also  the  Cynosure.     Milton  says,— 

"  Straight  mine  eye  hath  caught  new  pleasures 
While  the  landscape  round  it  measures. 

«  *  «  « 

Towers  and  battlements  it  sees 
Bosomed  high  in  tufted  trees, 
Where  perhaps  some  beauty  lies 
The  Cynosure  of  neighboring  eyes." 

The  reference  here  is  both  to  the  Pole-star  as  the  guide 
of  mariners,  and  to  the  magnetic  attraction  of  the  North. 
He  calls  it  also  the  "  Star  of  Arcady,"  because  Callisto's 
boy  was  named  Areas,  and  they  lived  in  Arcadia.  In 
Comus,  the  brother,  benighted  in  the  woods,  says,  — 

" Some  gentle  taper ! 

Though  a  rush  candle,  from  the  wicker  hole 

Of  some  clay  habitation,  visit  us 

With  thy  long  levelled  rule  of  streaming  light. 

And  thou  shalt  be  our  star  of  Arcady, 

Or  Tyrian  Cynosure." 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    IIETtOES. 


53 


Diana  and  Actaeon. 


DIANA   AND   ACTION. 


Thus,  in  two  instances,  we  have  seen  Juno's  severity  to 
her  rivals  ;  now  let  us  learn  how  a  virgin  goddess  pun- 
ished an  invader  of  her  privacy. 

It  was  midday,  and  the  sun  stood  equally  distant  from 
either  goal,  when  young  Actaeon,  son  of  King  Cadmus, 
thus  addressed  the  youths  who  with  him  were  hunting  the 
stag  in  the  mountains  :  — ■ 

"  Friends,  our  nets  and  our  weapons  are  wet  with  the 
blood  of  our  victims  ;  we  have  had  sport  enough  for  one 
day,  and  to-morrow  we  can  renew  our  labors.  Now,  while 
Phoebus  parches  the  earth,  let  us  put  by  our  implements 
and  indulge  ourselves  with  rest." 


54  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

Tliere  was  a  valley  thick  enclosed  with  cypresses  and 
pines,  sacred  to  the  huntress  queen,  Diana.  In  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  valley  was  a  cave,  not  adorned  with  art, 
but  nature  had  counterfeited  art  in  its  construction,  for 
she  had  turned  the  arch  of  its  roof  with  stones  as  deli- 
cately fitted  as  if  by  the  hand  of  man.  A  fountain  burst 
out  from  one  side,  whose  open  basin  was  bounded  by  a 
grassy  rim.  Here  the  goddess  of  the  woods  used  to  come 
when  weary  with  hunting  and  lave  her  virgin  limbs  in  the 
sparkling  water. 

One  day,  having  repaired  thither  with  her  nymphs,  she 
handed  her  javelin,  her  quiver,  and  her  bow  to  one,  her 
robe  to  another,  while  a  third  unbound  the  sandals  from 
her  feet.  Then  Crocale,  the  most  skilful  of  them,  ar- 
ranged her  hair,  and  Nephele,  Hyale  and  the  rest  drew 
water  in  capacious  urns.  While  the  goddess  was  thus 
employed  in  the  labors  of  the  toilet,  behold  Actaeon,  hav- 
ing quitted  his  companions,  and  rambling  without  any 
especial  object,  came  to  the  place,  led  thither  by  his  des- 
tiny. As  he  presented  himself  at  the  entrance  of  the 
cave,  the  nymphs,  seeing  a  man,  screamed  and  rushed 
towards  the  goddess  to  hide  her  with  their  bodies.  But 
she  was  taller  than  the  rest  and  overtopped  them  all  by  a 
head.  Such  a  color  as  tinges  the  clouds  at  sunset  or  at 
dawn,  came  over  the  countenance  of  Diana  thus  taken  by 
surprise.  Surrounded  as  she  was  by  her  nymphs,  she  yet 
turned  half  away,  and  sought  with  a  sudden  impulse  for 
her  arrows.  As  they  were  not  at  hand,  she  dashed  the 
water  into  the  face  of  the  intruder,  adding  these  words 
"  Now  go  and  tell,  if  you  can,  that  you  have  seen  Diana 
unapparelled."  Immediately  a  pair  of  branching  stag's 
horns  grew  out  of  his  head,  his  neck  gained  in  length,  his 
ears  grew  sharp-pointed,  his  hands  became  feet,  his  arms 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEKOES.  55 

long  legs,  his  body  was  covered  with  a  hairy  spotted  hide. 
Fear  took  the  place  of  his  former  boldness,  and  the  hero 
fled.  He  could  not  but  admire  his  own  speed ;  but  when 
he  saw  his  horns  in  the  water,  "  Ah,  wretched  me ! "  he 
would  have  said,  but  no  sound  followed  the  effort.  He 
groaned,  and  tears  flowed  down  the  face  which  had  taken 
the  place  of  his  own.  Yet  his  consciousness  remained. 
What  shall  he  do  ?  —  go  home  to  seek  the  palace,  or  lie 
hid  in  the  woods  ?  The  latter  he  was  afraid,  the  former 
he  was  ashamed  to  do.  While  he  hesitated  the  dogs  saw 
him.  First  Melampus,  a  Spartan  dog,  gave  the  signal 
with  his  bark,  then  Pamphagus,  Dorceus,  Lelaps,  Theron, 
Nape,  Tigris,  and  all  the  rest,  rushed  after  him  swifter 
than  the  wind.  Over  rocks  and  cliffs,  through  mountain 
gorges  that  seemed  impracticable,  he  fled  and  they  fol- 
lowed. Where  he  had  often  chased  the  stag  and  cheered 
on  his  pack,  his  pack  now  chased  him,  cheered  on  by  his 
huntsmen.  He  longed  to  cry  out,  "  I  am  Actaeon  ;  recog- 
nize your  master ! "  but  the  words  came  not  at  his  will. 
The  air  resounded  with  the  bark  of  the  dogs.  Presently 
one  fastened  on  his  back,  another  seized  his  shoulder. 
While  they  held  their  master,  the  rest  of  the  pack  came 
up  and  buried  their  teeth  in  his  flesh.  He  groaned,  —  not 
in  a  human  voice,  yet  certainly  not  in  a  stag's,  —  and  fall- 
ing on  his  knees,  raised  his  eyes,  and  would  have  raised 
his  arms  in  supplication,  if  he  had  had  them.  His  friends 
and  fellow-huntsmen  cheered  on  the  dogs,  and  looked 
every  where  for  Action,  calling  on  him  to  join  the  sport. 
At  the  sound  of  his  name,  he  turned  his  head,  and  heard 
them  regret  that  he  should  be  away.  He  earnestly  wished 
he  was.  He  would  have  been  well  pleased  to  see  the 
exploits  of  his  dogs,  but  to  feel  them  was  too  much. 
They  were  all  around  him,  rending  and  tearing ;  and  it 


56  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

was  not  till  they  had  torn  his  life  out,  that  the  anger  of 
Diana  was  satisfied. 

In  Shelley's  poem  Adonais  is  the  following  allusion  to 
the  story  of  Actagon :  — 

"'Midst  others  of  less  note  came  one  frail  form, 

A  phantom  among  men ;  companionless 

As  the  last  cloud  of  an  expiring  storm, 

Whose  thunder  is  its  knell ;  he,  as  I  guess, 

Had  gazed  on  Nature's  naked  loveliness, 

Actaeon-like,  and  now  he  fled  astray 

With  feeble  steps  o'er  the  world's  wilderness ; 

And  his  own  Thoughts,  along  that  rugged  way, 
Pursued  like  raging  hounds  their  father  and  their  prey." 

Stanza  31. 

The  allusion  is  probably  to  Shelley  himself. 


LATONA  AND   THE  RUSTICS. 

Some  thought  the  goddess  in  this  instance  more  severe 
than  was  just,  while  others  praised  her  conduct  as  strictly 
consistent  with  her  virgin  dignity.  As  usual,  the  recent 
event  brought  older  ones  to  mind,  and  one  of  the  by- 
standers told  this  story.  "  Some  countrymen  of  Lycia 
once  insulted  the  goddess  Latona,  but  not  with  impunity. 
"When  I  was  young,  my  father,  who  had  grown  too  old 
for  active  labors,  sent  me  to  Lycia  to  drive  thence  some 
choice  oxen,  and  there  I  saw  the  very  pond  and  marsh 
where  the  wonder  happened.  Near  by  stood  an  ancient 
altar,  black  with  the  smoke  of  sacrifice  and  almost  buried 
among  the  reeds.  I  inquired  whose  altar  it  might  be, 
whether  of  Faunus  or  the  Naiads  or  some  god  of  the 
neighboring  mountain,  and  one  of  the  country  people 
replied,  *  No  mountain  or  river  god  possesses  this  altar, 
but   she  whom  royal  Juno  in  her  jealousy  drove  from 


} 


I 


STOniES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  57 

land  to  land,  denying  her  any  spot  of  earth  whereon  to 
rear  her  twins.  Bearing  in  her  arras  the  infant  deities, 
Latona  reached  this  land,  weaiy  with  her  burden  and 
parched  with  thirst.  By  chance  she  espied  in  the  bottom 
of  the  valley  this  pond  of  clear  water,  where  the  country 
people  were  at  work  gathering  willows  and  osiers.  The 
goddess  approached,  and  kneeling  on  the  bank  would  have 
slaked  her  thirst  in  the  cool  stream,  but  the  rustics  forbade 
her.  '  "Why  do  you  refuse  me  water  ? '  said  she ;  '  water 
is  free  to  all.  Nature  allows  no  one  to  claim  as  property 
the  sunshine,  the  air,  or  the  water.  I  come  to  tiike  my 
share  of  the  common  blessing.  Yet  I  ask  it  of  you  as  a 
favor.  I  have  no  intention  of  washing  my  limbs  in  it, 
weary  though  they  be,  but  only  to  quench  my  thirst.  My 
mouth  is  so  dry  that  I  can  hardly  speak.  A  draught  of 
water  would  be  nectar  to  me  ;  it  would  revive  me,  and  I 
would  own  myself  indebted  to  you  for  life  itself.  Let 
these  infants  move  your  pity,  who  stretch  out  their  little 
arms  as  if  to  plead  for  me  ; '  and  the  children,  as  it  hap- 
pened, were  stretching  out  their  arms. 

"Who  would  not  have  been  moved  with  these  gentle 
words  of  the  goddess?  But  these  clowns  persisted  in 
their  rudeness ;  they  even  added  jeers  and  threats  of  vio- 
lence if  she  did  not  leave  the  place.  Nor  was  this  all. 
They  waded  into  the  pond  and  stirred  up  the  mud  with 
their  feet,  so  as  to  make  the  water  unfit  to  drink.  Latona 
was  so  angry  that  she  ceased  to  mind  her  thirst.  She  no 
longer  supplicated  the  clowns,  but  lifting  her  hands  to 
heaven  exclaimed,  '  May  they  never  quit  that  pool,  but 
pass  their  lives  there  ! '  And  it  came  to  pass  accordingly. 
They  now  live  in  the  water,  sometimes  totally  submerged, 
then  raising  their  heads  above  the  surface  or  swimming 
upon  it.  Sometimes  they  come  out  upon  the  bank,  but 
soon  leap  back  again  into  the  water.     They  still  use  their 


58  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

base  voices  in  railing,  and  thougli  they  have  the  water  all 
to  themselves,  are  not  ashamed  to  croak  in  the  midst  of  it. 
Their  voices  are  harsh,  their  throats  bloated,  their  mouths 
have  become  stretched  by  constant  railing,  their  necks 
have  shrunk  up  and  disappeared,  and  their  heads  are 
joined  to  their  bodies.  Their  backs  are  green,  their  dis- 
proportioned  bellies  white,  and  in  short  they  are  now 
frogs,  and  dwell  in  the  slimy  pool." 

This  story  explains  the  allusion  in  one  of  Milton's  son- 
nets, "  On  the  detraction  which  followed  upon  his  writing 
certain  treatises." 

"I  did  but  prompt  the  age  to  quit  their  clogs 
By  the  known  laws  of  ancient  liberty, 
When  straight  a  barbarous  noise  environs  me 
Of  owls  and  cuckoos,  asses,  apes  and  dogs. 
As  when  those  hinds  that  were  transformed  to  frogs 
Railed  at  Latona's  twin-born  progeny, 
Which  after  held  the  sun  and  moon  in  fee." 

The  persecution  which  Latona  experienced  from  Juno 
is  alluded  to  in  the  story.  The  tradition  was  that  the 
future  mother  of  Apollo  and  Diana,  flying  from  the 
w^rath  of  Juno,  besought  all  the  islands  of  the  ^gean  to 
afford  her  a  place  of  rest,  but  all  feared  too  much  the 
potent  queen  of  heaven  to  assist  her  rival.  Delos  alone 
consented  to  become  the  birthplace  of  the  future  deities. 
Delos  was  then  a  floating  island  ;  but  when  Latona  arrived 
there,  Jupiter  fastened  it  with  adamantine  chains  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sea,  that  it  might  be  a  secure  resting-place 
for  his  beloved.  Byron  alludes  to  Delos  in  his  Don  Juan :  — 

"  The  isles  of  Greece !  the  isles  of  Greece ! 
Where  burning  Sappho  loved  and  sung. 
Where  grew  the  arts  of  war  and  peace. 
Where  Delos  rose  and  Phoebus  sprung ! " 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


59 


Phaeton. 


CHAPTER    V. 


PHAETON. 


Phaeton  was  the  son  of  Apollo  and  the  nymph  Cly- 
mene.  One  day  a  schoolfellow  laughed  at  the  idea  of  his 
being  the  son  of  the  god,  and  Phaeton  went  in  rage  and 
shame  and  reported  it  to  his  mother.  "  If,"  said  he,  "  I 
am  indeed  of  heavenly  birth,  give  me,  mother,  some  proof 
of  it,  and  establish  my  claim  to  the  honor."  Clymene 
stretched  forth  her  hands  towards  the  skies,  and  said,  "  I 
call  to  witness  the  Sun  which  looks  down  upon  us,  that  I 
have  told  you  the  truth.     If  I  speak  falsely,  let  this  be 


60  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

the  last  time  I  behold  his  light.  But  it  needs  not  much 
labor  to  go  and  inquire  for  yourself;  the  land  whence  the 
Sun  rises  lies  next  to  ours.  Go  and  demand  of  him 
whether  he  will  own  you  as  a  son."  Phaeton  heard 
with  delight.  He  travelled  to  India,  which  lies  directly 
in  the  regions  of  sunrise ;  and,  full  of  hope  and  pride, 
approached  the  goal  whence  his  parent  begins  his  course. 

The  palace  of  the  Sun  stood  reared  aloft  on  columns, 
glittering  with  gold  and  precious  stones,  while  polished 
ivory  formed  the  ceilings,  and  silver  the  doors.  The 
workmanship  surpassed  the  material ;  *  for  upon  the  walls 
Vulcan  had  represented  earth,  sea  and  skies,  with  their 
inhabitants.  In  the  sea  were  the  nymphs,  some  sporting 
in  tlie  waves,  some  riding  on  the  backs  of  fishes,  while 
others  sat  upon  the  rocks  and  dried  their  sea-green  hair. 
Their  faces  were  not  all  alike,  nor  yet  unlike,  —  but  such 
as  sisters'  ought  to  be.*  The  earth  had  its  towns  and  for- 
ests and  rivers  and  rustic  divinities.  Over  all  was  carved 
the  likeness  of  the  glorious  heaven;  and  on  the  silver 
doors  the  twelve  signs  of  the  zodiac,  six  on  each  side. 

Clymene's  son  advanced  up  the  steep  ascent,  and  en- 
tered the  halls  of  his  disputed  father.  He  approached 
the  paternal  presence,  but  stopped  at  a  distance,  for  the 
light  was  more  than  he  could  bear.  Phoebus,  arrayed  in 
a  purple  vesture,  sat  on  a  throne  which  glittered  as  with 
diamonds.  On  his  right  hand  and  his  left  stood  the  Day, 
the  Month,  and  the  Year,  and,  at  regular  intervals,  the 
Hours.  Spring  stood  with  her  head  crowned  with  flowers, 
and  Summer,  with  garment  cast  aside,  and  a  garland 
formed  of  spears  of  ripened  grain,  and  Autumn,  with  his 
feet  stained  with  grape-juice,  and  icy   "Winter,  with  his 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  477. 


STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  61 

hair  stiffened  with  hoar  fi'ost.  Surrounded  by  these  at- 
tendants, the  Sun,  with  the  eye  that  sees  every  thing, 
beheld  the  youth  dazzled  with  the  novelty  and  splendor 
of  the  scene,  and  inquired  the  purpose  of  his  errand. 
The  youth  replied,  "  0,  light  of  the  boundless  world, 
Phoebus,  my  father,  —  if  you  permit  me  to  use  that  name, 
—  give  me  some  proof,  I  beseech  you,  by  which  I  may 
be  known  as  yours."  He  ceased ;  and  his  father,  laying 
aside  the  beams  that  shone  all  around  his  head,  bade  him 
approach,  and  embracing  him,  said,  "  My  son,  you  deserve 
not  to  be  disowned,  and  I  confirm  what  your  mother  has 
told  you.  To  put  an  end  to  your  doubts,  ask  what  you 
will,  the  gift  shall  be  yours.  I  call  to  witness  that  dread- 
ful lake,  which  I  never  saAv,  but  which  we  gods  swear  by 
in  our  most  solemn  engagements."  Phaeton  immediately 
asked  to  be  permitted  for  one  day  to  drive  the  chariot  of 
the  sun.  The  father  repented  of  his  promise  ;  thrice  and 
four  times  he  shook  his  radiant  head  in  warning.  "  I 
have  spoken  rashly,"  said  he  ;  "  this  only  request  I  would 
fain  deny.  I  beg  you  to  withdraw  it.  It  is  not  a  safe 
boon,  nor  one,  my  Phaeton,  suited  to  your  youth  and 
strength.  Your  lot  is  mortal,  and  you  ask  what  is  beyond 
a  mortal's  power.  In  your  ignorance  you  aspire  to  do 
that  which  not  even  the  gods  themselves  may  do.  None 
but  myself  may  drive  the  flaming  car  of  day.  Not  even 
Jupiter,  whose  terrible  right  arm  hurls  the  thunderbolts. 
The  first  part  of  the  way  is  steep,  and  such  as  the  horses 
when  fresh  in  the  morning  can  hardly  climb;  the  middle 
is  high  up  in  the  heavens,  whence  I  myself  can  scarcely, 
without  alarm,  look  down  and  behold  the  earth  and  sea 
stretched  beneath  me.  The  last  part  of  the  road  descends 
rapidly,  and  requires  most  careful  driving.  Tethys,  who 
is  waiting  to  receive  me,  often  trembles  for  me  lest  I 
6 


62  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

should  fall  headlong.  Add  to  all  this,  the  heaven  is  all 
the  time  turning  round  and  carrying  the  stars  with  it.  I 
have  to  be  perpetually  on  my  guard  lest  that  movement, 
which  sweeps  every  thing  else  along,  should  hurry  me  also 
away.  Suppose  I  should  lend  you  the  chariot,  what  would 
you  do  ?  Could  you  keep  your  course  while  the  sphere 
was  revolving  under  you  ?  Perhaps  you  think  that  there 
are  forests  and  cities,  the  abodes  of  gods,  and  palaces  and 
temples  on  the  way.  On  the  contrary,  the  road  is  through 
the  midst  of  frightful  monsters.  You  pass  by  the  horns 
of  the  Bull,  in  front  of  the  Archer,  and  near  the  Lion's 
jaws,  and  where  the  Scorpion  stretches  its  arms  in  one 
direction  and  the  Crab  in  another.  Nor  will  you  find  it 
easy  to  guide  those  horses,  with  their  breasts  full  of  fire 
that  they  breathe  forth  from  their  mouths  and  nostrils.  I 
can  scarcely  govern  them  myself,  when  they  are  unruly 
and  resist  the  reins.  Beware,  my  son,  lest  I  be  the  donor 
of  a  fatal  gift ;  recall  your  request  while  yet  you  may. 
Do  you  ask  me  for  a  proof  that  you  are  sprung  from  my 
blood  ?  I  give  you  a  proof  in  my  fears  for  you.  Look 
at  my  face,  —  I  would  that  you  could  look  into  my  breast, 
you  would  there  see  all  a  father's  anxiety.  Finally," 
he  continued,  "  look  round  the  world  and  choose  whatever 
you  will  of  what  earth  or  sea  contains  most  precious,  — 
ask  it  and  fear  no  refusal.  This  only  I  pray  you  not  to 
urge.  It  is  not  honor,  but  destruction  you  seek.  Why 
do  you  hang  round  my  neck  and  still  entreat  me  ?  You, 
shall  have  it  if  you  persist,  —  the  oath  is  sworn  and  must 
be  kept,  —  but  I  beg  you  to  choose  more  wisely." 

He  ended ;  but  the  youth  rejected  all  admonition,  and 
held  to  his  demand.  So,  having  resisted  as  long  as  he 
could,  Phoebus  at  last  led  the  Avay  to  where  stood  the 
lofty  chariot. 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    IIKKOKS.  63 

It  was  of  gold,  the  gift  of  Vulcan ;  tlie  axle  was  of 
gold,  the  pole  and  wheels  of  gold,  the  spokes  of  silver. 
Along  the  seat  were  rows  of  chrysolites  and  diamonds, 
which  reflected  all  around  the  brightness  of  the  sun. 
While  the  daring  youth  gazed  in  admiration,  the  early 
Dawn  threw  open  the  purple  doors  of  the  east,  and 
showed  the  pathway  strewn  with  roses.  The  stars  with- 
drew, marshalled  by  the  Daystar,  which  last  of  all  retired 
also.  The  father,  when  he  saw  the  earth  beginning  to 
glow,  and  the  Moon  preparing  to  retire,  ordered  the  Hours 
to  harness  up  the  horses.  They  obeyed,  and  led  forth 
from  the  lofty  stalls  the  steeds  full  fed  with  ambrosia,  and 
attached  the  reins.  Then  the  father  bathed  the  face  of 
his  son  with  a  powerful  unguent,  and  made  him  capable 
of  enduring  the  brightness  of  the  flame.  He  set  the  rays 
on  his  head,  and,  with  a  foreboding  sigh,  said,  "  If,  my 
son,  you  will  in  this  at  least  heed  my  advice,  spare  the 
whip  and  hold  tight  the  reins.  They  go  fast  enough  of 
their  own  accord ;  the  labor  is  to  hold  them  in.  You  are 
not  to  take  the  straight  road  directly  between  the  five 
circles,  but  turn  off*  to  the  left.  Keep  Avithin  the  limit  of 
the  middle  zone,  and  avoid  the  northern  and  the  southern 
alike.  You  will  see  the  marks  of  the  wheels,  and  they 
will  serve  to  guide  you.  And,  that  the  skies  and  the 
earth  may  each  receive  their  due  share  of  heat,  go  not  too 
high,  or  you  will  burn  the  heavenly  dwellings,  nor  too 
low,  or  you  will  set  the  earth  on  fire ;  the  middle  course 
is  safest  and  best.*  And  now  I  leave  you  to  your  chance, 
which  I  hope  will  plan  better  for  you  than  you  have  done 
for  yourself.  Night  is  passing  out  of  the  western  gates 
and  we  can  delay  no  longer.     Take  the  reins  ;  but  if  at 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  477. 


64  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

last  your  heart  fails  you,  and  you  will  benefit  by  my  ad- 
vice, stay  where  you  are  in  safety,  and  suffer  me  to  light 
and  warm  the  earth."  The  agile  youth  sprang  into  the 
chariot,  stood  erect  and  grasped  the  reins  with  delight, 
pouring  out  thanks  to  his  reluctant  parent. 

Meanwhile  the  horses  fill  the  air  with  their  snortings 
and  fiery  breath,  and  stamp  the  ground  impatient.  Now 
the  bars  are  let  down,  and  the  boundless  plain  of  the  uni- 
verse lies  open  before  them.  They  dart  forward  and 
cleave  the  opposing  clouds,  and  outrun  the  morning 
breezes  which  started  from  the  same  eastern  goal.  The 
steeds  soon  perceived  that  the  load  they  drew  was  lighter 
than  usual ;  and  as  a  ship  without  ballast  is  tossed  hither 
and  thither  on  the  sea,  so  the  chariot,  without  its  accus- 
tomed weight,  was  dashed  about  as  if  empty.  They  rush 
headlong  and  leave  the  travelled  road.  He  is  alarmed, 
and  knows  not  how  to  guide  them  ;  nor,  if  he  knew,  has 
he  the  power.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  the  Great  and 
Little  Bear  were  scorched  with  heat,  and  would  fain,  if  it 
were  possible,  have  plunged  into  the  water ;  and  the  Ser- 
pent which  lies  coiled  up  round  the  north  pole,  torpid  and 
harmless,  grew  wai'm,  and  with  warmth  felt  its  rage  re- 
vive. Bootes,  they  say,  fled  away,  though  encumbered 
with  his  plough,  and  all  unused  to  rapid  motion. 

When  hapless  Phaeton  looked  down  upon  the  earth, 
now  spreading  in  vast  extent  beneath  him,  he  grew  pale 
and  his  knees  shook  with  terror.  In  spite  of  the  glare  all 
around  him,  the  sight  of  his  eyes  grew  dim.  He  wished 
he  had  never  touched  his  father's  horses,  never  learned 
his  parentage,  never  prevailed  in  his  request.  He  is 
borne  along  like  a  vessel  that  flies  before  a  tempest,  when 
the  pilot  can  do  no  more  and  betakes  himself  to  his 
prayers.     What  shall  he  do  ?      Much   of  the  heavenly 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  65 

road  is  left  behind,  but  more  remains  before.  He  turns 
his  eyes  from  one  direction  to  the  other ;  now  to  the  goal 
whence  he  began  his  course,  now  to  the  realms  of  sunset 
which  he  is  not  destined  to  reach.  He  loses  his  self- 
command,  and  knows  not  what  to  do,  —  whether  to  draw 
tight  the  reins  or  throw  them  loose ;  he  forgets  the  names 
of  the  horses.  He  sees  with  terror  the  monstrous  forms 
scattered  over  the  surface  of  heaven.  Here  the  Scorpion 
extended  his  two,  great  arms,  with  his  tail  and  crooked 
claws  stretching  over  two  signs  of  the  zodiac.  When  the 
boy  beheld  him,  reeking  with  poison  and  menacing  with 
his  fangs,  his  courage  failed,  and  the  reins  fell  from  his 
hands.  The  horses,  when  they  felt  them  loose  on  their 
backs,  dashed  headlong,  and  unrestrained  went  off  into 
unknown  regions  of  the  sky,  in  among  the  stars,  hurling 
the  chariot  over  pathless  places,  now  up  in  high  heaven, 
now  down  almost  to  the  earth.  The  moon  saw  with  as- 
tonishment her  brother's  chariot  running  beneath  her  own. 
The  clouds  begin  to  smoke,  and  the  mountain  tops  take 
fire ;  the  fields  are  parched  with  heat,  the  plants  wither, 
the  trees  with  their  leafy  branches  burn,  the  harvest  is 
ablaze !  But  these  are  small  things.  Great  cities  per- 
ished, with  their  walls  and  towers ;  whole  nations  with 
their  people  were  consumed  to  ashes !  The  forest-clad 
mountains  burned,  Athos  and  Taurus  and  Tmolus  and 
CEte ;  Ida,  once  celebrated  for  fountains,  but  now  all  dry ; 
the  Muses'  mountain  Helicon,  and  Haemus ;  -^tna,  with 
fires  within  and  without,  and  Parnassus,  with  his  two 
peaks,  and  Rhodope,  forced  at  last  to  part  with  his  snowy 
crown.  Her  cold  climate  was  no  protection  to  Scythia, 
Caucasus  burned,  and  Ossa  and  Pindus,  and,  greater  than 
both,  Olympus ;  the  Alps  high  in  air,  and  the  Apennines 
crowned  with  clouds. 
6* 


66  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

Then  Phaeton  beheld  the  world  on  fire,  and  felt  the 
heat  intolerable.  The  air  he  breathed  was  like  the  air  of 
a  furnace  and  fuU  of  burning  ashes,  and  the  smoke  w^as 
of  a  pitchy  darkness.  He  dashed  forward  he  knew  not 
whither.  Then,  it  is  believed,  the  people  of  -^Ethiopia 
became  black  by  the  blood  being  forced  so  suddenly  to  the 
surface,  and  the  Libyan  desert  was  dried  up  to  the  condi- 
tion in  which  it  remains  to  this  day.  The  Nymphs  of  the 
fountains,  with  dishevelled  hair,  mourned  their  waters, 
nor  were  the  rivers  safe  beneath  their  banks;  Tanais 
smoked,  and  Caicus,  Xanthus  and  Meander.  Babylonian 
Euphrates  and  Ganges,  Tagus  with  golden  sands,  and 
Cayster  where  the  swans  resort.  Nile  fled  away  and  hid 
his  head  in  the  desert,  and  there  it  still  remains  concealed. 
Where  he  used  to  discharge  his  waters  through  seven 
mouths  into  the  sea,  there  seven  dry  channels  alone  re- 
mained. The  earth  cracked  open,  and  through  the  chinks 
light  broke  into  Tartarus,  and  frightened  the  king  of 
shadows  and  his  queen.  The  sea  shrank  up.  Where 
before  was  water,  it  became  a  dry  plain ;  and  the  moun- 
tains that  lie  beneath  the  waves  lifted  up  their  heads  and 
became  islands.  The  fishes  sought  the  lowest  depths,  and 
the  dolphins  no  longer  ventured  as  usual  to  sport  on  the 
surface.  Even  Nereus,  and  his  wife  Doris,  with  the  Ne- 
reids, their  daughters,  sought  the  deepest  caves  for  refuge. 
Thrice  Neptune  essayed  to  raise  his  head  above  the  sur- 
face, and  thrice  was  driven  back  by  the  heat.  Earth, 
surrounded  as  she  was  by  waters,  yet  with  head  and 
shoulders  bare,  screening  her  face  with  her  band,  looked 
up  to  heaven,  and  with  a  husky  voice  called  on  Jupiter. 

"0,  ruler  of  the  gods,  if  I  have  deserved  this  treat- 
ment, and  it  is  your  will  that  I  perish  with  fire,  why  with- 
hold your  thunderbolts  ?     Let  me  at  least  fall  by  your 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES.  67 

hand.  Is  this  the  reward  of  my  fertility,  of  my  obedient 
service  ?  Is  it  for  this  that  I  have  supplied  herbage  for 
cattle,  and  fruits  for  men,  and  frankincense  for  your  altars  ? 
But  if  I  am  unworthy  of  regard,  what  has  my  brother 
Ocean  done  to  deserve  such  a  fate  ?  If  neither  of  us  can 
excite  your  pity,  think,  I  pray  you,  of  your  own  heaven, 
and  behold  how  both  the  poles  are  smoking  which  sustain 
your  palace,  which  must  fall  if  they  be  destroyed.  Atlas 
faints,  and  scarce  holds  up  his  burden.  If  sea,  earth,  and 
heaven  perish,  we  fall  into  ancient  Chaos.  Save  what 
yet  remains  to  us  from  the  devouring  flame.  O,  take 
thought  for  our  deliverance  in  this  awful  moment ! " 

Thus  spoke  Earth,  and  overcome  with  heat  and  thirst, 
could  say  no  more.  Then  Jupiter  omnipotent,  calling  to 
witness  all  the  gods,  including  him  who  had  lent  the 
chariot,  and  showing  them  that  all  was  lost  unless  some 
speedy  remedy  were  applied,  mounted  the  lofty  tower 
from  whence  he  diffuses  clouds  over  the  earth,  and  hurls 
the  forked  lightnings.  But  at  that  time  not  a  cloud  was 
to  be  found  to  interpose  for  a  screen  to  earth,  nor  was  a 
shower  remaining  unexhausted.  He  thundered,  and 
brandishing  a  lightning  bolt  in  his  right  hand  launched 
it  against  the  charioteer,  and  struck  him  at  the  same  mo- 
ment from  his  seat  and  from  existence !  Phaeton,  with 
his  hair  on  fire,  fell  headlong,  like  a  shooting  star  which 
marks  the  heavens  with  its  brightness  as  it  falls,  and  Erid- 
anus,  the  great  river,  received  him  and  cooled  his  burn- 
ing frame.  The  Italian  Naiads  reared  a  tomb  for  him, 
and  inscribed  these  words  upon  the  stone :  — 

"  Driver  of  Phoebus'  chariot,  Phaeton, 
Struck  by  Jove's  thunder,  rests  beneath  this  stone. 
He  could  not  rule  his  father's  car  of  fire, 
Yet  was  it  much  so  nobly  to  aspire." 


68  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

His  sisters,  the  Heliades,  as  they  lamented  his  fate, 
were  turned  into  poplar  trees,  on  the  banks  of  the  river, 
and  their  tears,  which  continued  to  flow,  became  amber  as 
they  dropped  into  the  stream. 

Milman,  in  his  poem  of  Samor,  makes  the  following 
allusion  to  Phaeton's  story  :  — 

"  As  when  the  palsied  universe  aghast 
Lay    *    *    *    *    mute  and  still, 
When  drove,  so  poets  sing,  the  Sun-born  youth 
Devious  through  Heaven's  aSrighted  signs  his  sire's 
Ill-granted  chariot.    Him  the  Thunderer  hurled 
From  th'  empyrean  headlong  to  the  gulf 
Of  the  half-parched  Eridanus,  where  weep 
Even  now  the  sister  trees  their  amber  tears 
O'er  Phaeton  untimely  dead." 

In  the  beautiful  lines  of  Walter  Savage  Landor,  de- 
scriptive of  the  Sea-shell,  there  is  an  allusion  to  the  Sun's 
palace  and  chariot.     The  water-nymph  says,  — 

" I  have  sinuous  shells  of  pearly  hue 


Within,  and  things  that  lustre  have  imbibed 

In  the  sun's  palace  porch,  where  when  unyoked 

His  chariot  wheel  stands  midway  in  the  wave. 

Shake  one  and  it  awakens ;  then  apply 

Its  polished  lip  to  your  attentive  ear, 

And  it  remembers  its  august  abodes. 

And  murmurs  as  the  ocean  murmurs  there." 

Gebir,  Book  I. 


storif:.s  of  (jods  and  hkiioes. 


69 


Midas. 


CHAPTER    YI, 


MIDAS  — BAUCIS  AND  PHILEMON. 


Bacchus,  on  a  certain  occasion,  found  his  old  school- 
master and  foster-father,  Silenus,  missing.  The  old  man 
had  been  drinking,  and  in  that  state  wandered  away,  and 
was  found  by  some  peasants,  who  carried  him  to  their 
king,  Midas.  Midas  recognized  him,  and  treated  him 
hospitably,  entertaining  him  for  ten  days  and  nights  with 
an*  unceasing  round  of  jollity.  On  the  eleventh  day  he 
brought  Silenus  back,  and  restored  him  in  safety  to  his 
pupil.     Whereupon  Bacchus  offered  Midas  his  choice  of 


70  STOniPZS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

a  reward,  whatever  he  might  wish.  He  asked  that  what- 
ever he  might  touch  should  be  changed  into  gold.  Bac- 
chus consented,  though  sorry  that  he  had  not  made  a  bet- 
ter choice.  Midas  went  his  way,  rejoicing  in  his  new- 
acquired  power,  which  he  hastened  to  put  to  the  test.  He 
could  scarce  believe  his  eyes  when  he  found  a  twig  of  an 
oak,  which  he  plucked  from  the  branch,  become  gold  in 
his  hand.  He  took  up  a  stone ;  it  changed  to  gold.  He 
touched  a  sod ;  it  did  the  same.  He  took  an  apple  from 
the  tree;  you  would  have  thought  he  had  robbed  the  gar- 
den of  the  Hesperides.  His  joy  knew  no  bounds,  and  as 
soon  as  he  got  home,  he  ordered  the  servants  to  set  a 
splendid  repast  on  the  table.  Then  he  found  to  his  dis- 
may that  whether  he  ^puched  bread,  it  hardened  in  his 
hand ;  or  put  a  morsel  to  his  lips,  it  defied  his  teeth.  He 
took  a  glass  of  wine,  but  it  flowed  down  his  throat  like 
melted  gold. 

In  consternation  at  the  unprecedented  affliction,  he 
strove  to  divest  himself  of  his  power ;  he  hated  the  gift 
he  had  lately  coveted.  But  all  in  vain  ;  starvation  seemed 
to  await  him.  He  raised  his  arms,  all  shining  with  gold, 
in  prayer  to  Bacchus,  begging  to  be  delivered  from  his 
glittering  destruction.  Bacchus,  merciful  deity,  heard  and 
consented.  "  Go,"  said  he,  "  to  the  River  Pactolus,  trace 
the  stream  to  its  fountain-head,  there  plunge  your  head 
and  body  in,  and  wash  away  your  fault  and  its  punish- 
ment." He  did  so,  and  scarce  had  he  touched  the  waters 
before  the  gold-creating  power  passed  into  them,  and  the 
river  sands  became  changed  into  gold,  as  they  remain  to 
this  day. 

Thenceforth  Midas,  hating  wealth  and  splendor,  dweU 
in  the  country,  and  became  a  worshipper  of  Pan,  the  god 
of  the  fields.     On  a  certain  occasion  Pan  had  the  temerity 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  71 

to  compare  his  music  with  that  of  Apollo,  and  to  challenge 
the  god  of  the  lyre  to  a  trial  of  skill.  The  challenge  was 
accepted,  and  Tmolus,  the  mountain  god,  was  chosen  um- 
pire. The  senior  took  his  seat,  and  cleared  away  the  trees 
from  his  ears  to  listen.  At  a  given  signal  Pan  blew  on 
his  pipes,  and  with  his  rustic  melody  gave  great  satisfac- 
tion to  himself  and  his  faithful  follower  Midas,  who  hap- 
pened to  be  present.  Then  Tmolus  turned  his  head 
toward  the  Sun-god,  and  all  his  trees  turned  with  him. 
Apollo  rose ;  his  brow  Avreathed  with  Parnassian  laui'el, 
while  his  robe  of  Tyrian  purple  swept  the  ground.  In 
his  left  hand  he  held  the  lyre,  and  with  his  right  hand 
struck  the  strings.  Ravished  with  the  harmony,  Tmolus 
at  once  awarded  the  victory  to  the  god  of  the  lyre,  and  all 
but  Midas  acquiesced  in  the  judgment.  He  dissented, 
and  questioned  the  justice  of  the  award.  Apollo  would 
not  suffer  such  a  depraved  pair  of  ears  any  longer  to  wear 
the  human  form,  but  caused  them  to  increase  in  length, 
grow  hairy,  within  and  without,  and  movable  on  their 
roots ;  in  short,  to  be  on  the  perfect  pattern  of  those  of 
an  ass. 

Mortified  enough  was  King  Midas  at  this  mishap ;  but 
he  consoled  himself  with  the  thought  that  it  was  possible 
to  hide  his  misfortune,  which  he  attempted  to  do  by  means 
of  an  ample  turban  or  head-dress.  But  his  hair-dresser 
of  course  knew  the  secret.  He  was  charged  not  to  men- 
tion it,  and  threatened  with  dire  punishment  if  he  pre- 
sumed to  disobey.  But  he  found  it  too  much  for  his  dis- 
cretion to  keep  such  a  secret ;  so  he  went  out  into  the 
meadow,  dug  a  hole  in  the  ground,  and  stooping  down, 
whispered  the  story,  and  covered  it  up.  Before  long  a 
thick  bed  of  reeds  sprang  up  in  the  meadow,  and  as  soon 
as  it  had  gained  its  growth,  began  whispering  the  story, 


72  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

and  has  continued  to  do  so,  from  that  day  to  this,  every 
time  a  breeze  passes  over  the  place. 

The  story  of  King  Midas  has  been  told  by  others  with 
some  variations.  Dryden,  in  the  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale, 
makes  Midas's  queen  the  betrayer  of  the  secret. 

"  This  Midas  knew,  and  durst  communicate 
To  none  but  to  his  wife  his  ears  of  state." 

Midas  was  king  of  Phrygia.  He  was  the  son  of  Gor- 
dius,  a  poor  countryman,  who  was  taken  by  the  people 
and  made  king,  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  the  ora- 
cle, which  had  said  that  their  future  king  should  come  in 
a  wagon.  While  the  people  were  deliberating,  Gordius 
with  his  wife  and  son  came  driving  his  wagon  into  the 
public  square. 

Gordius,  being  made  king,  dedicated  his  wagon  to  the 
deity  of  the  oracle,  and  tied  it  up  in  its  place  with  a  fast 
knot.  This  was  the  celebrated  Gordian  knot,  which,  in 
after  times  it  was  said,  whoever  should  untie  should  be- 
come lord  of  all  Asia.  Many  tried  to  untie  it,  but  none 
succeeded,  till  Alexander  the  Great,  in  his  career  of  con- 
quest, came  to  Phrygia.  He  tried  his  skill  with  as  ill 
success  as  others,  till  growing  impatient  he  drew  his  sword 
and  cut  the  knot.  When  he  afterwards  succeeded  in  sub- 
jecting all  Asia  to  his  sway,  people  began  to  think  that  he 
had  complied  with  the  terms  of  the  oracle  according  to  its 
true  meaning. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES.  73 


BAUCIS   AND   PHILEMON. 

On  a  certain  hill  in  Phrygia  stand  a  linden  tree  and  an 
oak,  enclosed  by  a  low  wall.  Not  far  from  the  spot  is  a 
marsh,  formerly  good  habitable  land,  but  now  indented 
with  pools,  the  resort  of  fen-birds  and  cormorants.  Once 
on  a  time,  Jupiter,  in  human  shape,  visited  this  country, 
and  with  him  his  son  Mercury,  (he  of  the  caduceus,) 
without  his  wings.  They  presented  themselves  as  weary 
travellers,  at  many  a  door,  seeking  rest  and  shelter,  but 
found  all  closed,  for  it  was  late,  and  the  inhospitable  in- 
habitants would  not  rouse  themselves  to  open  for  their 
reception.  At  last  a  humble  mansion  received  them,  a 
small  thatched  cottage,  where  Baucis,  a  pious  old  dame, 
and  her  husband  Philemon,  united  when  young,  had  grown 
old  together.  Not  ashamed  of  their  poverty,  they  made 
it  endurable  by  moderate  desires  and  kind  dispositions. 
One  need  not  look  there  for  master  or  for  servant ;  they 
two  were  the  whole  household,  master  and  servant  alike. 
When  the  two  heavenly  guests  crossed  the  humble  thresh- 
old, and  bowed  their  heads  to  pass  under  the  low  door, 
the  old  man  placed  a  seat,  on  which  Baucis,  bustling  and 
attentive,  spread  a  cloth,  and  begged  them  to  sit  down. 
Then  she  raked  out  the  coals  from  the  ashes,  and  kindled 
up  a  fire,  fed  it  with  leaves  and  dry  bark,  and  with  her 
scanty  breath  blew  it  into  a  flame.  She  brought  out  of  a 
corner  split  sticks  and  dry  branches,  broke  them  up,  and 
placed  them  under  the  small  kettle.  Her  husband  col- 
lected some  pot-herbs  in  the  garden,  and  she  shred  them 
from  the  stalks,  and  pi-epared  them  for  the  pot.  He 
reached  down  with  a  forked  stick  a  flitch  of  bacon  hang- 
ing in  the  chimney,  cut  a  small  piece,  and  put  it  in 
7 


74  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

the  pot  to  boil  with  the  herbs,  setting  away  the  rest  for 
another  time.  A  beechen  bowl  was  filled  with  warm 
water,  that  their  guests  might  wash.  While  all  was  doing, 
they  beguiled  the  time  with  conversation. 

On  the  bench  designed  for  the  guests  was  laid  a  cushion 
stuffed  with  sea  weed ;  and  a  cloth,  only  produced  on  great 
occasions,  but  ancient  and  coarse  enough,  was  spread  over 
that.  The  old  lady,  with  her  apron  on,  with  trembling 
hand  set  the  table.  One  leg  was  shorter  than  the  rest, 
but  a  piece  of  slate  put  under  restored  the  level.  When 
fixed,  she  rubbed  the  table  down  with  some  sweet-smelling 
herbs.  Upon  it  she  set  some  of  chaste  Minerva's  olives, 
some  cornel  berries  preserved  in  vinegar,  and  added  rad- 
ishes and  cheese,  with  eggs  lightly  cooked  in  the  ashes. 
AU  were  served  in  earthen  dishes,  and  an  earthen-ware 
pitcher,  with  wooden  cups,  stood  beside  them.  When  all 
was  ready,  the  stew,  smoking  hot,  was  set  on  the  table. 
Some  wine,  not  of  the  oldest,  was  added ;  and  for  dessert, 
apples  and  wild  honey ;  and  over  and  above  all^  friendly 
faces,  and  simple  but  hearty  welcome. 

Now  while  the  repast  proceeded,  the  old  folks  were 
astonished  to  see  that  the  wine,  as  fast  as  it  was  poured 
out,  renewed  itself  in  the  pitcher,  of  its  own  accord. 
Struck  with  terror,  Baucis  and  Philemon  recognized  their 
heavenly  guests,  fell  on  their  knees,  and  with  clasped 
hands  implored  forgiveness  for  their  poor  entertainment. 
There  was  an  old  goose,  which  they  kept  as  the  guardian 
of  their  humble  cottage;  and  they  bethought  them  to 
make  this  a  sacrifice  in  honor  of  their  guests.  But  the 
goose,  too  nimble,  with  the  aid  of  feet  and  wings,  for  the 
old  folks,  eluded  their  pursuit,  and  at  last  took  shelter 
between  the  gods  themselves.  They  forbade  it  to  be 
slain  ;  and  spoke  in  these  words :  "  We  are  gods.     This 


STORIES    OF    GOD    AND    IIKROES.  75 

inhospitable  village  shall  pay  the  penalty  of  its  impiety ; 
you  alone  shall  go  free  fi'om  the  chastisement.  Quit  your 
house,  and  come  with  us  to  the  top  of  yonder  hill."  They 
hastened  to  obey,  and,  staff  in  hand,  labored  up  the  steep 
ascent.  They  had  reached  to  within  an  arrow's  flight  of 
the  top,  when  turnmg  their  eyes  below,  they  beheld  all 
the  country  sunk  in  a  lake,  only  their  own  house  left 
standing.  While  they  gazed  with  wonder  at  the  sight, 
and  lamented  the  fate  of  their  neighbors,  that  old  house 
of  theirs  was  changed  into  a  temple.  Columns  took  the 
place  of  the  corner  posts,  the  thatch  grew  yellow  and 
appeared  a  gilded  roof,  the  floors  became  marble,  the 
doors  were  enriched  with  carving  and  ornaments  of  gold. 
Then  spoke  Jupiter  in  benignant  accents :  "  Excellent  old 
man,  and  woman  worthy  of  such  a  husband,  speak,  tell  us 
your  wishes ;  what  favor  have  you  to  ask  of  us  ?  "  Phile- 
mon took  counsel  with  Baucis  a  few  moments ;  then  de- 
clared to  the  gods  their  united  wish.  "We  ask  to  be 
priests  and  guardians  of  this  your  temple  ;  and  since  here 
we  have  passed  our  lives  in  love  and  concord,  we  wish  that 
one  and  the  same  hour  may  take  us  both  from  life,  that  I 
may  not  live  to  see  her  grave,  nor  be  laid  in  my  own  by 
her."  Theu*  prayer  was  granted.  They  were  the  keep- 
ers of  the  temple  as  long  as  they  lived.  When  grown 
very  old,  as  they  stood  one  day  before  the  steps  of  the 
sacred  edifice,  and  were  telling  the  story  of  the  place, 
Baucis  saw  Philemon  begin  to  put  forth  leaves,  and  old 
Philemon  saw  Baucis  changing  in  like  manner.  And 
now  a  leafy  crown  had  grown  over  their  heads,  while 
exchanging  parting  words,  as  long  as  they  could  speak. 
"  Farewell,  dear  spouse,"  they  said,  together,  and  at  the 
same  moment  the  bark  closed  over  their  mouths.  The 
Tyanean  shepherd  still  shows  the  two  trees,  standing  side 
by  side,  made  out  of  the  two  good  old  people. 


76  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

The  stoiy  of  Baucis  and  Philemon  has  been  imitated 
by  Swift,  in  a  burlesque  style,  the  actors  in  the  change 
being  two  wandering  saints,  and  the  house  being  changed 
into  a  church,  of  which  Philemon  is  made  the  parson. 
The  following  may  serve  as  a  specimen :  — 


"  They  scarce  had  spoke,  when,  fair  and  soft, 
The  roof  began  to  mount  aloft; 
Aloft  rose  every  beam  and  rafter ; 
The  lieavy  wall  clhnbed  slowly  after. 
The  chimney  widened  and  grew  higher, 
Became  a  steeple  with  a  spire. 
The  kettle  to  the  top  was  hoist. 
And  there  stood  fastened  to  a  joist, 
But  with  the  upside  down,  to  show 
Its  inclination  for  below ; 
In  vain,  for  a  superior  force. 
Applied  at  bottom,  stops  its  course ; 
Doomed  ever  in  suspense  to  dwell, 
'Tis  now  no  kettle,  but  a  bell. 
A  wooden  jack,  which  had  almost 
Lost  by  disuse  the  art  to  roast, 
A  sudden  alteration  feels. 
Increased  by  new  intestine  wheels  ; 
And,  what  exalts  the  wonder  more. 
The  number  made  the  motion  slower  ; 
The  flier,  though  't  had  leaden  feet, 
Turned  round  so  quick  you  scarce  could  see 't ; 
But  slackened  by  some  secret  power. 
Now  hardly  moves  an  inch  an  hour. 
The  jack  and  chimney,  near  allied. 
Had  never  left  each  other's  side  : 
The  chimney  to  a  steeple  grown, 
The  jack  would  not  be  left  alone  ; 
But  up  against  the  steeple  reared. 
Became  a  clock,  and  still  adhered ; 
And  still  its  love  to  household  cares 
By  a  shrill  voice  at  noon  declares. 
Warning  the  cook-maid  not  to  burn 
That  roast  meat  which  it  cannot  turn. 
The  groaning  chair  began  to  crawl, 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  77 

Like  a  huge  snail,  along  the  wall ; 
There  stuck  aloft  in  public  view, 
And  with  small  change,  a  pulpit  grew. 
A  bedstead  of  the  antique  mode, 
Compact  of  timber  many  a  load, 
Such  as  our  ancestors  did  use, 
Was  metamorphosed  into  pews. 
Which  still  their  ancient  nature  keep 
By  lodging  folks  disposed  to  sleep." 

7* 


¥ 


78 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


Proserpine. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


PROSERPINE  — GLAUCUS  AND  SCYLLA. 


When  Jupiter  and  his  brothers  had  defeated  the  Ti- 
tans and  banished  them  to  Tartarus,  a  new  enemy  rose 
up  against  the  gods.  They  were  the  giants  Typhon,  Bri- 
areus,  Enceladus,  and  others.  Some  of  them  had  a  hun- 
dred arms,  others  breathed  out  fire.  They  were  finally 
subdued  and  buried  alive  under  Mount  jEtna,  where  they 
still  sometimes  struggle  to  get  loose,  and  shake  the  whole 
island  with  earthquakes.  Their  breath  comes  up  through 
the  mountain,  and  is  what  men  call  the  eruption  of  the 
volcano. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HKROES.  79 

The  fall  of  these  monsters  shook  the  earth,  so  that 
Pluto  was  alarmed,  and  feared  that  his  kingdom  would  be 
laid  open  to  the  light  of  day.  Under  this  apprehension, 
he  mounted  his  chariot,  drawn  by  black  horses,  and  took 
a  circuit  of  inspection  to  satisfy  himself  of  the  extent  of 
the  damage.  While  he  was  thus  engaged,  Venus,  who 
was  sitting  on  Mount  Eryx  playing  with  her  boy  Cupid, 
espied  him,  and  said,  "  My  son,  take  your  darts  with  which 
you  conquer  all,  even  Jove  himself,  and  send  one  into  the 
breast  of  yonder  dark  monarch,  who  rules  the  realm  of 
Tartarus.  Why  should  he  alone  escape?  Seize  the 
opportunity  to  extend  your  empire  and  mine.  Do  you 
not  see  that  even  in  heaven  some  despise  our  power  ? 
Minerva  the  wise,  and  Diana  the  huntress,  defy  us  ;  and 
there  is  that  daughter  of  Ceres,  who  threatens  to  follow 
their  example.  Now  do  you,  if  you  have  any  regard  for 
your  own  interest  or  mine,  join  these  two  in  one."  The 
boy  unbound  his  quiver,  and  selected  his  sharpest  and 
truest  arrow;  then,  straining  the  bow  against  his  knee, 
he  attached  the  string,  and,  having  made  ready,  shot  the 
arrow  with  its  barbed  point  right  into  the  heart  of  Pluto. 

In  the  vale  of  Enna  there  is  a  lake  embowered  in 
woods,  which  screen  it  from  the  fervid  rays  of  the  sun, 
while  the  moist  ground  is  covered  with  flowers,  and  Spring 
reigns  perpetual.  Here  Proserpine  was  playing  with  her 
companions,  gathering  lilies  and  violets,  and  filUng  her 
basket  and  her  apron  with  them,  when  Pluto  saw  her, 
loved  her,  and  carried  her  off.  She  screamed  for  help  to 
her  mother  and  her  companions  ;  and  when  in  her  fright 
she  dropped  the  corners  of  her  apron  and  let  the  flowers 
fall,  childlike  she  felt  the  loss  of  them  as  an  addition  to 
her  grief.  The  ravisher  ui"ged  on  his  steeds,  calling  them 
each  by  name,  and  throwing  loose  over  their  heads  and 


80  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

necks  his  iron-colored  reins.  When  he  reached  the  River 
Cyane,  and  it  opposed  his  passage,  he  struck  the  river- 
bank  with  his  trident,  and  the  earth  opened  and  gave  him 
a  passage  to  Tartarus. 

Ceres  sought  her  daughter  all  the  world  over.  Bright- 
haired  Aurora,  when  she  came  forth  in  the  morning,  and 
Hesperus,  when  he  led  out  the  stars  in  the  evening,  found 
her  still  busy  in  the  search.  But  it  was  all  unavailing. 
At  length  weary  and  sad,  she  sat  down  upon  a  stone,  and 
continued  sitting  nine  days  and  nights,  in  the  open  air, 
under  the  sunlight  and  moonlight  and  falling  showers.  It 
was  where  now  stands  the  city  of  Eleusis,  then  the  home 
of  an  old  man  named  Celeus.  He  was  out  in  the  field, 
gathering  acorns  and  blackberries,  and  sticks  for  his  fire. 
His  little  girl  was  driving  home  their  two  goats,  and  as 
she  passed  the  goddess,  who  appeared  in  the  guise  of  an 
old  woman,  she  said  to  her,  "  Mother,"  —  and  the  name 
was  sweet  to  the  ears  of  Ceres,  —  "  why  do  you  sit  here 
alone  upon  the  rocks  ? "  The  old  man  also  stopped, 
though  his  load  was  heavy,  and  begged  her  to  come 
into  his  cottage,  such  as  it  was.  She  declined,  and  he 
urged  her.  "  Go  in  peace,"  she  replied,  "  and  be  happy 
in  your  daughter;  I  have  lost  mine."  As  she  spoke, 
tears  —  or  something  like  tears,  for  the  gods  never  weep, 
—  fell  down  her  cheeks  upon  her  bosom.  The  compas- 
sionate old  man  and  his  child  wept  with  her.  Then  said 
he,  "  Come  with  us,  and  despise  not  our  humble  roof;  so 
may  your  daughter  be  restored  to  you  in  safety."  "  Lead 
on,  said  she,  "  I  cannot  resist  that  appeal ! "  So  she 
rose  from  the  stone  and  went  with  them.  As  they  walked 
he  told  her  that  his  only  son,  a  little  boy,  lay  very  sick, 
feverish  and  sleepless.  She  stooped  and  gathered  some 
poppies.     As  they  entered  the  cottage,  they  found  all  in 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  81 

great  distress,  for  the  boy  seemed  past  hope  ot  recovery. 
Metanira,  liis  mother,  received  her  kindly,  and  the  god- 
dess stooped  and  kissed  the  lips  of  the  sick  child.  In- 
stantly the  paleness  left  his  face,  and  healthy  vigor 
returned  to  his  body.  The  whole  family  were  delighted 
—  that  is,  the  father,  mother,  and  little  girl,  for  they  were 
all ;  they  had  no  servants.  They  spread  the  table,  and 
put  upon  it  curds  and  cream,  apples,  and  honey  in  the 
comb.  While  they  ate,  Ceres  mingled  poppy  juice  in  the 
milk  of  the  boy.  When  night  came  and  all  was  still,  she 
arose,  and  taking  the  sleeping  boy,  moulded  his  limbs  with 
her  hands,  and  uttered  over  him  three  times  a  solemn 
charm,  then  went  and  laid  him  in  the  ashes.  His  mother, 
who  had  been  Avatching  what  her  guest  was  doing,  sprang 
forward  with  a  cry  and  snatched  the  child  from  the  fire. 
Then  Ceres  assumed  her  own  form,  and  a  divine  splendor 
shone  all  around.  While  they  were  overcome  with  aston- 
ishment, she  said,  "  Mother,  you  have  been  cruel  in  your 
fondness  to  your  son.  I  would  have  made  him  immortal, 
but  you  have  frustrated  my  attempt.  Nevertheless,  he 
shall  be  great  and  useful.  He  shall  teach  men  the  use  of 
the  plough,  and  the  rewards  which  labor  can  win  from  the 
cultivated  soil."  So  saying,  she  wrapped  a  cloud  about 
her,  and  mounting  her  chariot  rode  away. 

Ceres  continued  her  search  for  her  daughter,  passing 
from  land  to  land,  and  across  seas  and  rivers,  till  at 
length  she  returned  to  Sicily,  whence  she  at  first  set  out, 
and  stood  by  the  banks  of  the  River  Cyane,  where  Pluto 
made  himself  a  passage  with  his  prize  to  his  own  do- 
minions. The  river  nymph  would  have  told  the  god- 
dess all  she  had  witnessed,  but  dared  not,  for  feai*  of  Pluto ; 
60  she  only  ventured  to  take  up  t!ie  girdle  which  Proser- 
pine had  dropped  in  her  flight,  and  waft  it  to  the  feet  of 


82  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

the  mother.  Ceres,  seeing  this,  was  no  longer  in  doubt 
of  her  loss,  but  she  did  not  yet  know  the  cause,  and  laid 
the  blame  on  the  innocent  land.  "  Ungrateful  soil,"  said 
she,  "  which  I  have  endowed  with  fertility  and  clothed 
with  herbage  and  nourishing  grain,  no  moi*e  shall  you  en- 
joy my  favors."  Then  the  cattle  died,  the  plough  broke 
in  the  furrow,  the  seed  failed  to  come  up ;  there  was  too 
much  sun,  there  was  too  much  rain ;  the  birds  stole  the 
seeds,  —  thistles  and  brambles  were  the  only  growth. 
Seeing  this,  the  fountain  Arethusa  interceded  for  the  land. 
"  Goddess,"  said  she,  "  blame  not  the  land  ;  it  opened  un- 
willingly to  yield  a  passage  to  your  daughter.  I  can  tell 
you  of  her  fate,  for  I  have  seen  her.  This  is  not  my 
native  country  ;  I  came  hither  from  Elis.  I  was  a  wood- 
land nymph,  and  delighted  in  the  chase.  They  praised 
my  beauty,  but  I  cared  nothing  for  it,  and  rather  boasted 
of  my  hunting  exploits.  One  day  I  was  returning  from 
the  wood,  heated  with  exercise,  when  I  came  to  a  stream 
silently  flowing,  so  clear  that  you  might  count  the  pebbles 
on  the  bottom.  The  willows  shaded  it,  and  the  grassy 
bank  sloped  down  to  the  water's  edge.  I  approached,  I 
touched  the  water  with  my  foot.  I  stepped  in  knee-deep, 
and  not  content  with  that,  I  laid  my  garments  on  the  wil- 
lows and  went  in.  While  I  sported  in  the  water,  I  heard 
an  indistinct  murmur  coming  up  as  out  of  the  depths  of 
the  stream ;  and  made  haste  to  escape  to  the  nearest  bank. 
The  voice  said,  "  Why  do  you  fly,  Arethusa  ?  I  am 
Alpheus,  the  god  of  this  stream."  I  ran,  he  pursued ;  he 
was  not  more  swift  than  I,  but  he  was  stronger,  and  gained 
upon  me,  as  my  strength  failed.  At  last,  exhausted,  I 
cried  for  help  to  Diana.  '  Help  me,  goddess  !  help  your 
votary  ! '  The  goddess  heard,  and  wrapped  me  suddenly 
in  a  thick  cloud.     The  river  god  looked  now  this  way  and 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  83 

now  that,  and  twice  came  close  to  me,  but  could  not 
find  me.  '  Arethusa !  Arethusa  ! '  he  cried.  O,  how  I 
trembled,  —  like  a  lamb  that  hears  the  wolf  growling  out- 
tiide  the  fold.  A  cold  sweat  came  over  me,  my  hair  flowed 
down  in  streams  ;  where  my  foot  stood  there  was  a  pool. 
In  short,  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it  I  became  a 
fountain.  But  in  this  form  Alj)heus  knew  me,  and 
attempted  to  mingle  his  stream  with  mine.  Diana  cleft 
the  ground,  and  I,  endeavoring  to  escape  him,  plunged 
into  the  cavern,  and  thi'ough  the  bowels  of  the  earth  came 
out  here  in  Sicily.  While  I  passed  through  the  lower 
parts  of  the  earth,  I  saw  your  Proserpine.  She  was  sad, 
but  no  longer  showing  alarm  in  her  countenance.  Her 
look  was  such  as  became  a  queen,  —  the  queen  of  Erebus  ; 
the  powerful  bride  of  the  monarch  of  the  realms  of  the 
dead." 

When  Ceres  heard  this,  she  stood  for  a  while  like  one 
stupefied ;  then  turned  her  chariot  towards  heaven,  and 
hastened  to  present  herself  before  the  throne  of  Jove. 
She  told  the  story  of  her  bereavement,  and  implored  Ju- 
piter to  interfere  to  procure  the  restitution  of  her  daugh- 
ter. Jupiter  consented  on  one  condition,  namely,  that 
Proserpine  should  not  during  her  stay  in  the  lower  world 
have  taken  any  food;  otherwise,  the  Fates  forbade  her 
release.  Accordingly,  Mercury  was  sent,  accompanied  by 
Spring,  to  demand  Proserpine  of  Pluto.  The  wily  mon- 
arch consented  ;  but  alas  !  the  maiden  had  taken  a  pome- 
granate which  Pluto  offered  her,  and  had  sucked  the  sweet 
pulp  from  a  few  of  the  seeds.  This  was  enough  to  pre- 
vent her  complete  release ;  but  a  compromise  was  made, 
by  which  she  was  to  pass  half  tlie  time  with  her  mother, 
and  tlie  rest  witli  her  husband  Pluto. 

Ceres  allowed  herself  to  be  pacified  with  this  arrange- 


84  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIKUOES. 

ment,  and  restored  the  earth  to  her  favor.  Now  she 
remembered  Celeus  and  his  family,  and  her  promise  to 
his  infant  son  Triptolemus.  When  the  boy  grew  up,  she 
taught  him  the  use  of  the  plough,  and  how  to  sow  the 
seed.  She  took  him  in  her  chariot,  drawn  by  winged 
dragons,  through  all  the  countries  of  the  earth,  imparting 
to  mankind  valuable  grains,  and  the  knowledge  of  agri- 
culture. After  his  return,  Triptolemus  built  a  magnificent 
temple  to  Ceres  in  Eleusis,  and  established  the  worship  of 
the  goddess,  under  the  name  of  the  Eleusinian  mysteries, 
which,  in  the  splendor  and  solemnity  of  their  observance, 
surpassed  all  other  religious  celebrations  among  the 
Greeks. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  of  this  story  of  Ceres  and 
Proserpine  being  an  allegory.  Proserpine  signifies  the 
seed-corn  which  when  cast  into  the  ground  lies  there 
concealed,  —  that  is,  she  is  carried  off  by  the  god  of  the 
underworld ;  it  reappears,  —  that  is,  Proserpine  is  re- 
stored to  her  mother.  Spring  leads  her  back  to  the 
light  of  day. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  story  of  Proserpine  in  Paradise 
Lost,  Book  IV :  — 

"  Not  that  fair  field 
Of  Enna  where  Proserpine  gathering  flowers, 
Herself  a  fairer  flower,  by  gloomy  Dis 
Was  gathered,  which  cost  Ceres  all  that  pain 

To  seek  her  through  the  world, 

*    *    *    *    might  with  this  Paradise 
Of  Eden  strive." 

Hood,  in  his  Ode  to  Melancholy,  uses  the  same  allusion 
very  beautifully :  — 


STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEKOES.  85 

"Forgive,  if  somewhile  I  forget, 

In  woe  to  come  the  present  bliss ; 
As  frighted  Proserpine  let  fall 
Her  flowers  at  the  sight  of  Dis." 

The  River  Alpheus  does  in  fact  disappear  under 
ground,  in  part  of  its  course,  finding  its  way  through  sub- 
terranean channels,  till  it  again  appears  on  the  surface.  — 
It  was  said  that  the  Sicilian  fountain  Arethusa  was  the 
same  stream,  which,  after  passing  under  the  sea,  came  up 
agaui  in  Sicily.  Hence  the  story  ran  that  a  cup  thrown 
into  the  Alpheus  appeared  again  in  Arethusa.  It  is  this 
fable  of  the  underground  course  of  Alpheus  that  Colmdge 
alludes  to  in  his  poem  of  Kubla  Khan:  — 

"  In  Xanadu  did  Kubla  Khan 

A  stately  pleasure-dome  decree, 
Where  Alph,  the  sacred  river,  ran 
Through  caverns  measureless  to  man, 
Down  to  a  sunless  sea." 

In  one  of  Moore's  juvenile  poems  he  thus  alludes  to 
the  same  story,  and  to  the  practice  of  throwing  garlands 
or  other  light  objects  on  his  stream  to  be  carried  down- 
ward by  it,  and  afterwards  reproduced  at  its  emerging :  — 

"  O  my  beloved,  how  divinely  sweet 
Is  the  pure  joy  when  kindred  spirits  meet ! 
Like  him  the  river  god,  whose  waters  flow. 
With  love  their  only  light,  through  caves  below, 
Wafting  in  triumph  all  the  flowery  braids 
And  festal  rings,  with  which  Olympic  maids 
Have  decked  his  current,  as  an  offering  meet 
To  lay  at  Ayethusa's  shining  feet. 
Think,  when  he  meets  at  last  his  fountain  bride, 
What  perfect  love  must  thrill  the  blended  tide  ! 
Each  lost  in  each,  till  mingling  into  one, 
Their  lot  the  same  for  shadow  or  for  sun, 
A  type  of  true  love,  to  the  deep  they  run." 


86'  STOKIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

The  following  extract  from  Moore's  Rhymes  on  the 
Road  gives  an  account  of  a  celebrated  picture  by  Albano, 
at  Milan,  called  a  Dance  of  Loves  :  — 

"  'Tis  for  the  theft  of  Enna's  flower  from  earth 
These  urchins  celebrate  their  dance  of  mirth, 
Round  the  green  tree,  like  fays  upon  a  heath ;  — 

Those  that  are  nearest  linked  in  order  bright, 

Cheek  after  cheek,  like  rosebuds  in  a  -wTcath ; 

And  those  more  distant  showing  from  beneath 

The  others'  wings  their  little  eyes  of  light. 

While  see !  among  the  clouds,  then'  eldest  brother, 

But  just  flown  up,  tells  with  a  smile  of  bliss, 
This  prank  of  Pluto  4o  his  charmed  mother. 
Who  turns  to  greet  the  tidings  with  a  kiss." 


GLAUCUS  AND   SCYLLA. 

Glaucus  was  a  fisherman.  One  day  he  had  drawn  his 
nets  to  land,  and  had  taken  a  great  many  fishes  of  various 
kinds.  So  he  emptied  his  net,  and  proceeded  to  sort  the 
fishes  on  the  grass.  The  place  where  he  stood  was  a 
beautiful  island  in  the  river,  a  solitary  spot,  uninhabited, 
and  not  used  for  pasturage  of  cattle,  nor  ever  visited  by 
any  but  himself.  On  a  sudden,  the  fishes,  which  had  been 
laid  on  the  grass,  began  to  revive  and  move  their  fins  as 
if  they  were  in  the  water ;  and  while  he  looked  on  aston- 
ished, they  one  and  all  moved  olf  to  the  water,  plunged  in 
and  swam  away.  He  did  not  know  what  to  make  of  this, 
whether  some  god  had  done  it,  or  some  secret  power  in 
the  herbage.  "  What  herb  has  such  a  power  ?  "  he  ex- 
claimed ;  and  gathering  some  of  it,  he  tasted  it.  Scarce 
had  the  juices  of  the  plant  reached  his  palate  when  he 
found  himself  agitated  with  a  longing  desire  for  the  water. 
He  could  no  longer  restrain  himself,  but  bidding  farewell 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  87 

to  earth,  he  plunged  into  tlie  stream.  The  gods  of  the 
water  received  him  graciously,  and  admitted  him  to  the 
honor  of  their  society.  They  obtained  the  consent  of 
Oceanus  and  Tethys,  the  sovereigns  of  the  sea,  that  all 
that  was  mortal  in  him  should  be  washed  away.  A  hun- 
dred rivers  poured  their  waters  over  him.  Then  he  lost 
all  sense  of  his  former  nature  and  all  consciousness. 
When  he  recovered,  he  found  himself  changed  in  form 
and  mind.  His  hair  was  sea-green,  and  trailed  behind 
him  on  the  water ;  his  shoulders  grew  broad,  and  what 
had  been  thighs  and  legs  assumed  the  form  of  a  fish's  tail. 
The  sea-gods  complimented  him  on  the  change  of  his 
appearance,  and  he  fancied  himself  rather  a  good-looking 
personage. 

One  day  Glaucus  saw  the  beautiful  maiden  Scylla,  the 
favorite  of  the  water-nymphs,  rambling  on  the  shore,  and 
when  she  had  found  a  sheltered  nook,  laving  her  limbs  in 
the  clear  water.  He  fell  in  love  with  her,  and  showing 
himself  on  the  surface,  spoke  to  her,  saying  such  things  as 
he  thought  most  likely  to  win  her  to  stay ;  for  she  turned 
to  run  immediately  on  the  sight  of  him,  and  ran  tiU  she 
had  gained  a  cliff  overlooking  the  sea.  Here  she  stopped 
and  turned  round  to  see  whether  it  was  a  god  or  a  sea 
animal,  and  observed  with  wonder  his  shape  and  color. 
Glaucus  partly  emerging  from  the  water,  and  supporting 
himself  against  a  rock,  said,  "  Maiden,  I  am  no  monster, 
nor  a  sea  animal,  but  a  god ;  and  neither  Proteus  nor  Tri- 
ton ranks  higher  than  I.  Once  I  was  a  mortal,  and  fol- 
lowed the  sea  for  a  living ;  but  now  I  belong  wholly  to  it." 
Then  he  told  the  story  of  his  metamorphosis,  and  how  he 
had  been  promoted  to  his  present  dignity,  and  added, 
"  But  Avhat  avails  all  this  if  it  fails  to  move  your  heart  .'* " 
He  was  going  on  in  this  strain,  but  Scylla  turned  and 
hastened  away. 


88  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Glaucus  was  in  despair,  but  it  occurred  to  him  to  con- 
sult the  enchanti'ess,  Circe.  Accordingly  he  repaired  to 
her  island,  —  the  same  where  afterwards  Ulysses  landed, 
as  we  shall  see  in  one  of  our  later  stories.  After  mutual 
salutations,  he  said,  "  Goddess,  I  entreat  your  pity ;  you 
alone  can  relieve  the  pain  I  suffer.  The  power  of  herbs 
I  know  as  well  .as  any  one,  for  it  is  to  them  I  owe  my 
change  of  form.  I  love  Scylla.  I  am  ashamed  to  tell 
you  how  I  have  sued  and  promised  to  her,  and  how  scorn- 
fully she  has  treated  me.  I  beseech  you  to  use  your  in- 
cantations, or  potent  herbs,  if  they  are  more  prevailing, 
not  to  cure  me  of  my  love,  —  for  that  I  do  not  wish,  — 
but  to  make  her  share  it  and  yield  me  a  like  return." 
To  which  Cii'ce  replied,  for  she  was  not  insensible  to  the 
attractions  of  the  sea-green  deity,  "  You  had  better  pursue 
a  willing  object ;  you  are  worthy  to  be  sought,  instead  of 
having  to  seek  in  vain.  Be  not  diffident,  know  your  own 
worth.  I  protest  to  you  that  even  I,  goddess  though  I  be, 
and  learned  in  the  virtues  of  plants  and  spells,  should  not 
know  how  to  refuse  you.  If  she  scorns  you,  scorn  her ; 
meet  one  who  is  ready  to  meet  you  half  way,  and  thus 
make  a  due  return  to  both  at  once."  To  these  words 
Glaucus  replied,  "  Sooner  shall  trees  grow  at  the  bottom 
of  the  ocean,  and  seaweed  on  the  top  of  the  mountains, 
than  I  will  cease  to  love  Scylla,  and  her  alone." 

The  goddess  was  indignant,  but  she  could  not  punish 
him,  neither  did  she  wish  to  do  so,  for  she  liked  him  too 
well ;  so  she  turned  all  her  wrath  against  her  rival,  poor 
Scylla.  She  took  plants  of  poisonous  powers  and  mixed 
them  together,  with  incantations  and  charms.  Then  she 
passed  through  the  crowd  of  gambolling  beasts,  the  victims 
of  her  art,  and  proceeded  to  the  coast  of  Sicily,  where 
Scylla  lived.    There  was  a  little  bay  on  the  shore  to  which 


STOBIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  89 

Scylla  used  to  resort,  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  to  breathe 
the  air  of  the  sea,  and  to  bathe  in  its  waters.  Here  the 
goddess  poured  her  poisonous  mixture,  and  muttered  over 
it  incantations  of  mighty  power.  Scylla  came  as  usual 
and  plunged  into  the  water  up  to  her  waist.  What  was 
her  horror  to  perceive  a  brood  of  serpents  and  barking 
monsters  surrounding  her  !  At  first  she  could  not  imagine 
they  were  a  part  of  herself,  and  ti'ied  to  run  from  them, 
and  to  drive  them  away ;  but  as  she  ran  she  carried  them 
with  her,  and  when  she  tried  to  touch  her  limbs,  she 
found  her  hands  touch  only  the  yawning  jaws  of  mon- 
sters. Scylla  remained  rooted  to  the  spot.  Her  temper 
grew  as  ugly  as  her  form,  and  she  took  pleasure  in  de- 
vouring hapless  mariners  who  came  within  her  grasp. 
Thus  she  destroyed  six  of  the  companions  of  Ulysses, 
and  tried  to  wreck  the  ships  of  ^neas,  till  at  last  she  was 
turned  into  a  rock,  and  as  such  still  continues  to  be  a 
terror  to  mariners. 

Keats,  in  his  Endymion,  has  given  a  new  version  of  the 
ending  of  "  Glaucus  and  Scylla " —  Glaucus  consents  to 
Circe's  blandishments,  till  he  by  chance  is  witness  to  her 
transactions  with  her  beasts.  Disgusted  with  her  treach- 
ery and  cruelty,  he  tries  to  escape  from  her,  but  is  taken 
and  brought  back,  when  with  reproaches  she  banishes 
him,  sentencing  him  to  pass  a  thousand  years  in  decrepi- 
tude and  pain.  He  returns  to  the  sea,  and  there  finds  the 
body  of  Scylla,  whom  the  goddess  has  not  transformed 
but  drowned.  Glaucus  learns  that  his  destiny  is  that,  if 
he  passes  his  thousand  years  in  collecting  all  the  bodies 
of  drowned  lovers,  a  youth  beloved  of  the  gods  will  ap- 
pear and  help  him.     Endymion  fulfils  this  prophecy,  and 


90 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 


aids  in  restoring  Glaucus  to  youth,  and  Scylla  and  all  the 
drowned  lovers  to  life. 


The  following  is  Glaucus's  account  of  his  feelings  after 
his  "  sea-change : "  — 

"  I  plunged  for  life  or  death.    To  interknit 
One's  senses  with  so  dense  a  breathing  stuff 
Might  seem  a  work  of  pain  ;  so  not  enough 
Can  I  admire  how  crystal-smooth  it  felt, 
And  buoyant  round  my  limbs.    At  first  I  dwelt 
Whole  days  and  days  in  sheer  astonishment ; 
Forgetful  utterly  of  self-intent, 
Moving  but  with  the  mighty  ebb  and  flow. 
Then  like  a  new-fledged  bird  that  first  doth  show 
His  spreaded  feathers  to  the  morrow  chill, 
I  tried  in  fear  the  pinions  of  my  will. 
'Twas  freedom !  and  at  once  I  visited 
The  ceaseless  wonders  of  this  ocean-bed,"  &c. 

Keats. 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


91 


Pygmalion. 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

PYGMALION  —  DRYOPE  —  VENUS  AND  ADONIS  — 
APOLLO  AND  HYACINTHUS. 


Pygmalion  saw  so  much  wickedness  in  women  that  he 
came  at  last  to  abhor  the  sex,  and  resolved  to  live  unmar- 
ried. He  was  a  sculptor,  and  had  made  with  wonderful 
skill  a  statue  of  ivory,  so  beautiful  that  no  living  woman 
came  any  where  near  it.  It  was  indeed  the  pei*fect  sem- 
blance of  a  maiden  that  seemed  to  be  alive,  and  only  pre- 
vented from  moving  by  modesty.  His  art  was  so  perfect 
that  it  concealed  itself;  and  its  product  looked  like  the 


92  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

workmanship  of  nature.  Pygmalion  admired  liis  own 
work,  and  at  last  fell  in  love  with  the  counterfeit  creation. 
Oftentimes  he  laid  his  hand  upon  it  as  if  to  assure  himself 
whether  it  were  living  or  not,  and  could  not  even  then 
believe  that  it  was  only  ivory.  He  caressed  it,  and  gave 
it  presents  such  as  young  gh'ls  love,  —  bright  shells  and 
polished  stones,  little  birds  and  flowers  of  various  hues, 
beads  and  amber.  He  put  raiment  on  its  limbs,  and 
jewels  on  its  fingers,  and  a  necklace  about  its  neck.  To 
the  ears  he  hung  ear-rings,  and  strings  of  pearls  upon  the 
breast.  Her  dress  became  her,  and  she  looked  not  less 
charming  than  when  unattired.  He  laid  her  on  a  couch 
spread  with  cloths  of  Tyrian  dye,  and  called  her  his  wife, 
and  put  her  head  upon  a  pillow  of  the  softest  feathers,  as 
if  she  could  enjoy  their  softness. 

The  festival  of  Venus  was  at  hand,  —  a  festival  cele- 
brated with  great  pomp  at  Cyprus.  Victims  were  offered, 
the  altars  smoked,  and  the  odor  of  incense  filled  the  air. 
When  Pygmalion  had  performed  his  part  in  the  solemni- 
ties, he  stood  before  the  altar  and  timidly  said,  "  Ye  gods, 
who  can  do  all  things,  give  me,  I  pray  you,  for  my  wife  " 
—  he  dared  not  say  "  my  ivory  virgin,"  but  said  instead  — 
"  one  like  my  ivory  virgin."  Venus,  who  was  present  at 
the  festival,  heard  him  and  knew  the  thought  he  would 
have  uttered;  and  as  an  omen  of  her  favor,  caused  the 
flame  on  the  altar  to  shoot  up  thrice  in  a  fiery  point  into 
the  air.  When  he  returned  home,  he  went  to  see  his 
statue,  and  leaning  over  the  couch,  gave  a  kiss  to  the 
mouth.  It  seemed  to  be  warm.  He  pressed  its  lips  again, 
he  laid  his  hand  upon  the  limbs  ;  the  ivory  felt  soft  to  his 
touch,  and  yielded  to  his  fingers  like  the  wax  of  Hymettus. 
Wliile  he  stands  astonished  and  glad,  though  doubting,  and 
fears  he  may  be  mistaken,  iigain  and  again  with  a  lover's 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES.  93 

ardor,  he  touches  the  object  of  his  hopes.  It  was  indeed 
alive  !  The  veins  when  pressed  yielded  to  the  finger  and 
again  resumed  their  roundness.  Then  at  last  the  votary 
of  Venus  found  words  to  thank  the  goddess,  and  pressed 
his  lips  upon  lips  as  real  as  his  own.  The  virgin  felt  the 
kisses  and  blushed,  and  opening  her  timid  eyes  to  the 
light,  fixed  them  at  the  same  moment  on  her  lover. 
Venus  blessed  the  nuptials  she  had  formed,  and  from  this 
union  Paphos  was  born,  from  whom  the  city,  sacred  to 
Venus,  received  its  name. 

Schiller,  in  his  poem  the  Ideals,  applies  this  tale  of 
Pygmalion  to  the  love  of  nature  in  a  youthful  heart. 
The  following  translation  is  furnished  by  a  friend  :  — 

"  As  once  with  prayers  in  passion  flowing, 

Pygmalion  embraced  the  stone, 
Till  from  the  frozen  marble  glowing, 

The  light  of  feeling  o'er  him  shone, 
So  did  I  clasp  with  young  devotion 

Bright  nature  to  a  poet's  heart ; 
Till  breath  and  warmth  and  vital  motion 

Seemed  through  the  statue  form  to  dart. 

*'  And  then,  in  all  my  ardor  sharing. 
The  silent  form  expression  found  ; 
Returned  my  kiss  of  youthful  daring. 

And  understood  my  heart's  quick  sound. 
Then  lived  for  me  the  bright  creation. 

The  silver  rill  with  song  was  rife  ; 
The  trees,  the  roses  shared  sensation, 
An  echo  of  my  boundless  life." 

S.  G.  B. 

DRYOPE. 

Dryope  and  lole  were  sisters.  The  former  was  the 
wife  of  Andra;mon,  beloved  by  her  husband,  and  happy 


94  STORIES    OF    OODS    AND    HEROES. 

in  the  birth  of  her  first  child.  One  clay  the  sisters  strolled 
to  the  bank  of  a  stream  that  sloped  gradually  down  to  the 
water's  edge,  while  the  upland  was  overgrown  with  myr- 
tles., They  were  intending  to  gather  flowers  for  forming 
garlands  for  the  altai-s  of  the  nymphs,  and  Diyope  carried 
her  child  at  her  bosom,  a  precious  burden,  and  nursed 
him  as  she  walked.  Near  the  water  grew  a  lotus  plant, 
full  of  purple  flowers.  Dryope  gathered  some  and  offered 
them  to  the  baby,  and  lole  was  about  to  do  the  same, 
when  she  perceived  blood  dropping  from  the  places  where 
her  sister  had  broken  them  off  the  stem.  The  plant  was 
no  other  than  the  Nymph  Lotis,  who,  running  from  a  base 
pursuer,  had  been  changed  into  this  form.  This  they 
learned  from  the  country  people  when  it  was  too  late. 

Dryope,  horror-struck  when  she  perceived  what  she 
had  done,  would  gladly  have  hastened  from  the  spot,  but 
found  her  feet  rooted  to  the  ground.  She  tried  to  pull 
them  away,  but  moved  nothing  but  her  upper  limbs.  The 
woodiness  crept  upward,  and  by  degrees  invested  her 
body.  In  anguish  she  attempted  to  tear  her  hair,  but 
found  her  hands  filled  with  leaves.  The  infant  felt  his 
mother's  bosom  begin  to  harden,  and  the  milk  cease  to 
flow.  lole  looked  on  at  the  sad  fate  of  her  sister,  and 
could  render  no  assistance.  She  embraced  the  growing 
trunk,  as  if  she  would  hold  back  the  advancing  wood,  and 
would  gladly  have  been  enveloped  in  the  same  bark.  At 
this  moment,  Andrajmon,  the  husband  of  Dryope,  with 
her  father,  approached ;  and  when  they  asked  for  Dryope, 
lole  pointed  them  to  the  new-formed  lotus.  They  em- 
braced the  trunk  of  the  yet  warm  tree,  and  showered 
their  kisses  on  its  leaves. 

Now  there  was  nothing  left  of  Dryope  but  her  face. 
Her  tears  still  flowed  and  fell  on  her  leaves,  and  while 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEKOES.  95 

she  could  she  spoke.  "  I  am  not  guilty.  I  deserve  not 
this  fate.  I  have  injured  no  one.  If  I  speak  falsely,  may 
my  foliage  perish  with  drought  and  my  trunk  be  cut  down 
and  burned.  Take  this  infant  and  give  it  to  a  nurse. 
Let  it  often  be  brought  and  nursed  under  my  branches, 
and  play  in  my  shade ;  and  when  he  is  old  enough  to  talk, 
let  him  be  taught  to  call  me  mother,  and  to  say  with  sad- 
ness, *  My  mother  lies  hid  under  this  bark.'  But  bid  him 
be  careful  of  river  banks,  and  beware  how  he  plucks 
flowers,  remembering  that  every  bush  he  sees  may  be  a 
goddess  in  disguise.  Farewell,  dear  husband,  and  sister, 
and  father.  If  you  retain  any  love  for  me,  let  not  the  axe 
wound  me,  nor  the  flocks  bite  and  tear  my  branches. 
Since  I  cannot  stoop  to  you,  climb  up  hither  and  kiss  me  ; 
and  wliile  my  lips  continue  to  feel,  lift  up  my  child  that  I 
may  kiss  him.  I  can  speak  no  more,  for  already  the  bark 
advances  up  my  neck,  and  will  soon  shoot  over  me.  You 
necid  not  close  my  eyes,  the  bark  will  close  them  without 
your  aid."  Then  the  lips  ceased  to  move,  and  life  was 
extinct ;  but  the  branches  retained  for  some  time  longer 
the  vital  heat. 

Keats,  in  Endymion,  alludes  to  Dryope,  thus  :  — 

"  She  took  a  lute  from  which  there  pulsing  came 
A  lively  prelude,  fashioning  the  way 
In  which  her  voice  should  wander.     'Twas  a  lay 
More  subtle-cadenced,  more  forest-wild  ♦ 

Than  Dryope's  lone  lulling  of  her  child  ;  "  &c. 


VENUS   AND  ADONIS. 

Venus,  playing  one  day  with  her  boy  Cupid,  wounded 
her  bosom  with  one  of  his  arrows.    She  pushed  him  away, 


96  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

but  the  wound  was  deeper  than  she  thought.  Before 
it  healed  she  beheld  Adonis,  and  was  captivated  with 
him.  She  no  longer  took  any  interest  in  her  favorite 
resorts,  —  Paphos,  and  Cnidos,  and  Amathos,  rich  in  met- 
als. She  absented  herself  even  from  heaven,  for  Adonis 
was  dearer  to  her  than  heaven.  Him  she  followed  and 
bore  him  company.  She  who  used  to  love  to  recline  in 
the  shade,  with  no  care  but  to  cultivate  her  charms,  now 
rambles  through  the  woods  and  over  the  hills,  dressed  like 
the  huntress  Diana ;  and  calls  her  dogs,  and  chases  hares 
and  stags,  or  other  game  that  it  is  safe  to  hunt,  but  keeps 
clear  of  the  wolves  and  bears,  reeking  with  the  slaughter 
of  the  herd.  She  charged  Adonis,  too,  to  beware  of  such 
dangerous  animals.  "  Be  brave  towards  the  timid,"  said 
she;  "courage  against  the  courageous  is  not  safe.  Be- 
ware how  you  expose  yourself  to  danger,  and  put  my 
happiness  to  risk.  Attack  not  the  beasts  that  Nature  has 
armed  with  weapons.  I  do  not  value  your  glory  so  high 
as  to  consent  to  purchase  it  by  such  exposure.  Your 
youth,  and  the  beauty  that  charms  Venus,  will  not  touch 
the  hearts  of  lions  and  bristly  boars.  Think  of  their 
terrible  claws  and  prodigious  strength  !  I  hate  the  whole 
race  of  them.  Do  you  ask  me  why  ?  "  Then  she  told 
him  the  story  of  Atalanta  and  Hippomenes,  who  were 
changed  into  lions  for  their  ingratitude  to  her. 

Having  given  him  this  warning,  she  mounted  her  char- 
iot drawn  by  swans,  and  drove  away  through  the  air. 
But  Adonis  was  too  noble  to  heed  such  counsels.  The 
dogs  had  roused  a  wild  boar  from  his  lair,  and  the  youth 
threw  his  spear  and  wounded  the  animal  with  a  sidelong 
stroke.  The  beast  drew  out  the  weapon  with  his  jaws, 
and  rushed  after  Adonis,  who  turned  and  ran ;  but  the 
boar  overtook  him,  and  buried  his  tusks  in  his  side,  and 
stretched  him  dying  upon  the  plain. 


STOUIKS    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  97 

Venus,  in  her  swan-drawn  chariot,  had  not  yet  reached 
Cyprus,  when  she  heard  coming  up  through  mid  air  the 
groans  of  her  beloved,  and  turned  her  white-winged  cours- 
ers back  to  earth.  As  she  drew  near  and  saw  from  on  high 
his  lifeless  body  bathed  in  blood,  she  alighted,  and  bending 
over  it  beat  her  breast  and  tore  her  hair.  Reproaching 
the  Fates,  she  said,  "  Yet  theirs  shall  be  but  a  partial 
triumph ;  memorials  of  my  grief  shall  endure,  and  the 
spectacle  of  your  death,  my  Adonis,  and  of  my  lamenta- 
tion shall  be  annually  renewed.  Your  blood  shall  be 
changed  into  a  flower;  that  consolation  none  can  envy 
me."  Thus  speaking,  she  sprinkled  nectar  on  the  blood ; 
and  as  they  mingled,  bubbles  rose  as  in  a  pool,  on  which 
raindrops  fall,  and  in  an  hour's  time  there  sprang  up  a 
flower  of  bloody  hue  like  that  of  the  pomegranate.  But 
it  is  short-lived.  It  is  said  the  wind  blows  the  blossoms 
open,  and  afterwards  blows  the  petals  away ;  so  it  is  called 
Anemone,  or  Wind  Flower,  from  the  cause  which  assists 
equally  in  its  production  and  its  decay. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  story  of  Venus  and  Adonis  in  his 

Comus :  — 

"  Beds  of  hyacinth  and  roses 
Where  young  Adonis  oft  reposes, 
Waxing  well  of  his  deep  wound 
In  slumber  soft,  and  on  the  ground 
Sadly  sits  th'  Assyrian  queen  ; "  &c. 


APOLLO  AND   HYACINTHUS. 

Apollo  was  passionately  fond  of  a  youth  named  Hya- 
cinthus.     He  accompanied  him  in  his  sports,  carried  the 
nets  when  he  went  fishing,  led  the  dogs  when  he  went  to 
9 


98  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

hunt,  followed  him  in  his  excursions  hi  the  mountains,  and 
neglected  for  him  his  lyre  and  his  arrows.  One  day  they 
played  a  game  of  quoits  together,  and  Apollo,  heaving 
aloft  the  discus,  with  strength  mingled  with  skill,  sent  it 
high  and  far.  Hyacinthus  watched  it  as  it  fell,  and  ex- 
cited with  the  sport  ran  forward  to  seize  it,  eager  to  make 
his  throw,  when  the  quoit  bounded  from  the  earth  and 
struck  him  in  the  forehead.  He  fainted  and  fell.  The 
god,  as  pale  as  himself,  raised  him  and  tried  all  his  art  to 
stanch  the  wound  and  retain  the  flitting  life,  but  all  in 
vain  ;  the  hurt  was  past  the  power  of  medicine.  As  when 
one  has  broken  the  stem  of  a  lily  in  the  garden  it  hangs 
its  head  and  turns  its  flowers  to  the  earth,  so  the  head  of 
the  dying  boy,  as  if  too  heavy  for  his  neck,  fell  over  on 
his  shoulder.  "  Thou  diest,  Hyacinth,"  so  spoke  Phoebus, 
"  robbed  of  thy  youth  by  me.  Thine  is  the  suffering, 
mine  the  crime.  Would  that  I  could  die  for  thee  !  But 
since  that  may  not  be,  thou  shalt  live  with  me  in  memory 
and  in  song.  My  lyre  shall  celebrate  thee,  my  song  shall 
tell  thy  fate,  and  thou  shalt  become  a  flower  inscribed  with 
my  regrets."  While  Apollo  spoke,  behold  the  blood  which 
had  flowed  on  the  ground  and  stained  the  herbage,  ceased 
to  be  blood ;  but  a  flower  of  hue  more  beautiful  than  the 
Tyrian  sprang  up,  resembling  the  lily,  if  it  were  not  that 
this  is  purple  and  that  silvery  white.*  And  this  was  not 
enough  for  Pho3bus ;  but  to  confer  still  greater  honor,  he 
marked  the  petals  with  his  sorrow,  and  inscribed  "  Ah ! 
ah  !  "  upon  them,  as  we  see  to  this  day.  The  flower  bears 
the  name  of  Hyacinthus,  and  with  every  returning  spring 
revives  the  memory  of  his  fate. 

*  It  is  evidently  not  our  modem  hyacinth  that  is  here  described.    It 
is  perhaps  some  species  of  iris,  or  perhaps  of  larkspur,  or  of  pansy. 


STOUIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HKROES.  99 

It  was  said  that  Zephyrus,  (the  West-wind,)  who  was 
also  fond  of  Hyacinthus  and  jealous  of  his  preference  of 
Apollo,  blew  the  quoit  out  of  its  course  to  make  it  strike 
Hyacinthus.  Keats  alludes  to  this  in  his  Endymion,  where 
he  describes  the  lookers-on  at  the  game  of  quoits :  — 

"  Or  they  might  watch  the  quoit-pitchers,  intent 
On  either  side,  pitying  the  sad  death 
Of  Hyacinthus,  when  the  cruel  breath 
Of  Zephyr  slew  him  ;  Zephyr  penitent, 
Who  now  ere  Phoebus  mounts  the  firmament. 
Fondles  the  flower  amid  the  sobbing  rain." 

An  allusion  to  Hyacinthus  will  also  be  recognized  in 
Milton's  Lycidas :  — 

"  Like  to  that  sanguine  flower  inscribed  with  woe." 


100  STORIES    OP   GOUS    AND    UKROES. 


Ceyx  and  Halcyon 


CHAPTER    IX. 


CEYX  AND  HALCYONE :  OR,  THE  HALCYON  BIRDS 


Ceyx  was  king  of  Thessaly,  where  he  reigned  in  peace, 
without  violence  or  wrong.  He  was  son  of  Hesperus,  the 
Day-star,  and  the  glow  of  his  beauty  reminded  one  of  his 
father.  Halcyone  the  daughter  of  ^olus  was  his  wife, 
and  devotedly  attached  to  him.  Now  Ceyx  was  in  deep 
affliction  for  the  loss  of  his  brother,  and  direful  prodigies 
following  his  brother's  death  made  him  feel  as  if  the  gods 
were  hostile  to  him.  He  thought  best  therefore  to  make 
a  voyage  to  Claros  in  Ionia,  to  consult  the  oracle  of  Apollo. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  101 

But  as  soon  as  he  disclosed  his  intention  to  his  wife  Hal- 
cyone,  a  shudder  ran  through  her  frame,  and  her  face 
grew  deadly  pale.  "  What  fault  of  mine,  dearest  husband, 
has  turned  your  affection  from  me  ?  Where  is  that  love 
of  me  that  used  to  be  uppermost  in  your  thoughts  ?  Have 
you  learned  to  feel  easy  in  the  absence  of  Halcyone  ? 
Would  you  rather  have  me  away  ?  "  She  also  endeavored 
to  discourage  him,  by  describing  the  violence  of  the  winds, 
which  she  had  known  familiarly  when  she  lived  at  home 
in  her  father's  house,  iEolus  being  the  god  of  the  winds, 
and  having  as  much  as  he  could  do  to  restrain  them. 
"  They  rush  together,"  said  she,  "  with  such  fury  that  fire 
flashes  from  the  conflict.  But  if  you  must  go,"  she  added, 
"  dear  husband,  let  me  go  with  you,  otherwise  I  shall  suf- 
fer, not  only  the  real  evils  which  you  must  encounter,  but 
those  also  which  my  fears  suggest." 

These  words  weighed  heavily  on  the  mind  of  King 
Ceyx,  and  it  was  no  less  his  own  wish  than  hers  to  take 
her  with  him,  but  he  could  not  bear  to  expose  her  to  the 
dangers  of  the  sea.  He  answered  therefore  consoling  her 
as  well  as  he  could,  and  finished  with  these  words :  "  I 
promise,  by  the  rays  of  my  father  the  Day-star,  that  if 
fate  permits  I  will  return  before  the  moon  shall  have  twice 
rounded  her  orb."  When  he  had  thus  spoken  he  ordered 
the  vessel  to  be  drawn  out  of  the  shiphouse,  and  the  oars 
and  sails  to  be  put  aboard.  When  Halcyone  saw  these 
preparations  she  shuddered,  as  if  with  a  presentiment  of 
evil.  With  tears  and  sobs  she  said  farewell,  and  then  fell 
senseless  to  the  ground. 

Ceyx  would  still  have  lingered,  but  now  the   young 

men  grasped  their  oars  and  pulled  vigorously  through 

the  waves,  with  long  and  measured  strokes.     Halcyone 

raised  her  streaming  eyes,  and  saw  her  husband  standing 

9* 


102  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

on  the  deck,  waving  his  hand  to  her.  She  answered  his 
signal  till  the  vessel  had  receded  so  far  that  she  could  no 
longer  distinguish  his  form  from  the  rest.  When  the  ves- 
sel itself  could  no  more  be  seen,  she  strained  her  eyes  to 
catch  the  last  glimmer  of  the  sail,  till  that  too  disappeared. 
Then,  retiring  to  her  chamber,  she  threw  herself  on  her 
solitary  couch. 

Meanwhile  they  glide  out  of  the  harbor,  and  the  breeze 
plays  among  the  ropes.  The  seamen  draw  in  their  oars, 
and  hoist  their  sails.  When  half  or  less  of  their  course 
was  passed,  as  night  drew  on,  the  sea  began  to  whiten  with 
swelling  waves,  and  the  east  wind  to  blow  a  gale.  The 
master  gave  the  word  to  take  in  sail,  but  the  storm  forbade 
obedience,  for  such  is  the  roar  of  the  winds  and  waves  his 
orders  are  unheard.  The  men,  of  their  own  accord,  busy 
themselves  to  secure  the  oars,  to  strengthen  the  ship,  to  reef 
the  sail.  While  they  thus  do  what  to  each  one  seems  best, 
the  storm  increases.  The  shouting  of  the  men,  the  rat- 
tling of  the  shrouds,  and  the  dashing  of  the  waves,  mingle 
with  the  roar  of  the  thunder.  The  swelling  sea  seems 
lifted  up  to  the  heavens,  to  scatter  its  foam  among  the 
clouds ;  then  sinking  away  to  the  bottom  assumes  the  color 
of  the  shoal,  —  a  Stygian  blackness. 

The  vessel  shares  all  these  changes.  It  seems  like  a 
wild  beast  that  rushes  on  the  spears  of  the  hunters.  Bain 
falls  in  torrents,  as  if  the  skies  were  coming  down  to  unite 
with  the  sea.  When  the  lightning  ceases  for  a  moment,. 
the  night  seems  to  add  its  own  darkness  to  that  of  the 
storm ;  then  comes  the  flash,  rending  the  darkness  asunder, 
and  lighting  up  all  with  a  glare.  Skill  fails,  courage  sinks, 
and  death  seems  to  come  on  every  wave.  The  men  are 
stupefied  with  terror.  The  thought  of  parents,  and  kin- 
dred, and  pledges  left  at  home,  comes  over  their  minds. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  103 

Ceyx  thinks  of  Halcyone.  No  name  but  hers  is  on  his 
lips,  and  while  he  yearns  for  her,  he  yet  rejoices  in  her 
absence.  Presently  the  mast  is  shattered  by  a  stroke  of 
lightning,  the  rudder  broken,  and  the  triumphant  surge 
curling  over  looks  down  upon  the  wreck,  then  falls,  and 
crushes  it  to  fragments.  Some  of  the  seamen,  stunned  by 
the  stroke,  sink,  and  rise  no  more ;  others  cling  to  frag- 
ments of  the  wreck.  Ceyx,  with  the  hand  that  used  to 
grasp  the  sceptre,  holds  fast  to  a  plank,  calling  for  help, 
—  alas,  in  vain,  —  upon  his  father  and  his  father-in-law. 
But  oftenest  on  his  lips  was  the  name  of  Halcyone.  To 
her  his  thoughts  cling.  He  prays  that  the  waves  may 
bear  his  body  to  her  sight,  and  that  it  may  receive  burial 
at  her  hands.  At  length  the  waters  overwhelm  him,  and 
he  sinks.  The  Day-star  looked  dim  that  night.  Since  it 
could  not  leave  the  heavens,  it  shrouded  its  face  with 
clouds. 

In  the  meanwhile  Halcyone,  ignorant  of  all  these  hor- 
rors, counted  the  days  till  her  husband's  promised  return. 
Now  she  gets  ready  the  garments  which  he  shall  put  on, 
and  now  what  she  shall  wear  when  he  arrives.  To  all  the 
gods  she  offers  frequent  incense,  but  more  than  all  to  Juno. 
For  her  husband,  who  was  no  more,  she  prayed  incessant- 
ly ;  that  he  might  be  safe ;  that  he  might  come  home ; 
that  he  might  not,  in  his  absence,  see  any  one  that  he 
would  love  better  than  her.  But  of  all  these  prayers,  the 
last  was  the  only  one  destined  to  be  granted.  The  goddess, 
at  length,  could  not  bear  any  longer  to  be  pleaded  with  for 
one  already  dead,  and  to  have  hands  raised  to  her  altars, 
that  ought  rather  to  be  offering  funeral  rites.  So,  calling 
Iris,  she  said,  "Iris,  my  faithful  messenger,  go  to  the 
drowsy  dwelling  of  Somnus,  and  tell  him  to  send  a  vision 
to  Halcyone,  in  the  form  of  Ceyx,  to  make  known  to  her 
the  event." 


S04  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Iris  puts  on  her  robe  of  many  colors,  and  tinging  the 
sky  with  her  bow,  seeks  the  palace  of  the  King  of  Sleep. 
Near  the  Cimmerian  country,  a  mountain  cave  is  the 
abode  of  the  dull  god,  Somnus.  Here  Phoebus  dares  not 
come,  either  rising,  at  midday  or  setting.  Clouds  and 
shadows  are  exhaled  from  the  ground,  and  the  light  glim- 
mers faintly.  The  bird  of  dawning,  with  crested  head, 
never  there  calls  aloud  to  Aurora,  nor  watchful  dog,  nor 
more  sagacious  goose  disturbs  the  silence.  No  wild  beast, 
nor  cattle,  nor  branch  moved  with  the  wind,  nor  sound  of 
human  conversation,  breaks  the  stillness.  Silence  reigns 
there  ;  but  from  the  bottom  of  the  rock  the  River  Lethe 
flows,  and  by  its  murmur  invites  to  sleep.  Poppies  grow 
abundantly  before  the  door  of  the  cave,  and  other  herbs, 
from  whose  juices  Night  collects  slumbers,  which  she  scat- 
ters over  the  darkened  earth.  There  is  no  gate  to  the 
mansion,  to  creak  on  its  hinges,  nor  any  watchman ;  but 
in  the  midst,  a  couch  of  black  ebony,  adorned  with  black 
plumes  and  black  curtains.  There  the  god  reclines,  his 
limbs  relaxed  with  sleep.  Around  him  lie  dreams,  resem- 
bling all  various  forms,  as  many  as  the  harvest  bears  stalks, 
or  the  forest  leaves,  or  the  seashore  sandgraitis. 

As  soon  as  the  goddess  entered  and  brushed  away  the 
dreams  that  hovered  around  her,  her  brightness  lit  up  all 
the  cave.  The  god,  scarce  opening  his  eyes,  and  ever  and 
anon  dropping  his  beard  upon  his  breast,  at  last  shook 
himself  free  from  himself,  and  leaning  on  his  arm,  en- 
quired her  errand,  —  for  he  knew  who  she  was.  She  an- 
swered, "  Somnus,  gentlest  of  the  gods,  tranquillizer  of 
minds  and  soother  of  care-worn  hearts,  Juno  sends  you 
her  commands  that  you  despatch  a  dream  to  Halcyone,  in 
the  city  of  Trachine,  representing  her  lost  husband  and 
all  the  events  of  the  wreck." 


STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  105 

Having  delivered  her  message,  Iris  hasted  away,  for  she 
could  not  longer  endure  the  stagnant  air,  and  as  she  felt 
drowsiness  creeping  over  her,  she  made  her  escape,  and 
returned  by  her  bow  the  way  she  came.  Then  Somnus 
called  one  of  his  numerous  sons,  —  Morpheus,  —  the  most 
expert  in  counterfeiting  forms,  and  in  imitating  the  walk, 
the  countenance,  and  mode  of  speaking,  even  the  clothes 
and  attitudes  most  characteristic  of  each.  But  he  only 
imitates  men,  leaving  it  to  another  to  personate  birds, 
beasts,  and  serpents.  Him  they  call  Icelos ;  and  Phan- 
tasos  is  a  third,  Avho  turns  himself  into  rocks,  waters, 
woods,  and  other  things  without  life.  These  wait  upon 
kings  and  great  personages  in  their  sleeping  hours,  while 
others  move  among  the  common  people.  Somnus  chose, 
from  all  the  brothers,  Morpheus,  to  perform  the  command 
of  Iris ;  then  laid  his  head  on  his  pillow  and  yielded  him- 
self to  grateful  repose. 

Morpheus  flew,  making  no  noise  with  his  wings,  and 
soon  came  to  the  Ha;monian  city,  where,  laying  aside  his 
wings,  he  assumed  the  form  of  Ceyx.  Under  that  form, 
but  pale  like  a  dead  man,  naked,  he  stood  before  the  couch 
of  the  wretched  wife.  His  beard  seemed  soaked  with  wa- 
ter, and  water  trickled  from  his  drowned  locks.  Leaning 
over  the  bed,  tears  streaming  from  his  eyes,  he  said,  "  Do. 
you  recognize  your  Ceyx,  unhappy  wife,  or  has  death  too 
much  changed  my  visage?  Behold  me,  know  me,  your 
husband's  shade,  instead  of  himself.  Your  prayers,  Hal- 
cyone,  availed  me  nothing.  I  am  dead.  No  more  deceive 
yourself  with  vain  hopes  of  my  return.  The  stormy  winds 
sunk  my  ship  in  the  ..^^gean  Sea,  waves  filled  my  mouth 
while  it  called  aloud  on  you.  No  uncertain  messenger 
tells  you  this,  no  vague  rumor  brings  it  to  your  ears.  I 
come  in  person,  a  shipAvrecked  man,  to  tell  you  my  fate. 


106  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Arise  !  give  me  tears,  give  me  lamentations,  let  me  not  go 
down  to  Tartarus  unwept."  To  these  words  Morpheus 
added  the  voice  which  seemed  to  be  that  of  her  husband ; 
he  seemed  to  pour  forth  genuine  tears  ;  his  hands  had  the 
gestui'es  of  Ceyx. 

Halcyone,  weeping,  groaned,  and  stretched  out  her  arms 
in  her  sleep,  striving  to  embrace  his  body,  but  grasping 
only  the  air.  "  Stay  !  "  she  cried  ;  "  whither  do  you  fly? 
let  us  go  together."  Her  own  voice  awakened  her. 
Starting  up,  she  gazed  eagerly  around,  to  see  if  he  was 
stUl  present,  for  the  servants,  alarmed  by  her  cries,  had 
brought  a  light.  When  she  found  him  not,  she  smote  her 
breast  and  rent  her  garments.  She  cares  not  to  unbind 
her  hair,  but  tears  it  wildly.  Her  nurse  asks  what  is  the 
cause  of  her  grief.  "  Halcyone  is  no  more,"  she  answers, 
"  she  perished  with  her  Ceyx.  Utter  not  words  of  com- 
fort, he  is  shipwrecked  and  dead.  I  have  seen  him,  I 
have  recognized  him.  I  stretched  out  my  hands  to  seize 
him  and  detain  him.  His  shade  vanished,  but  it  was  the 
true  shade  of  my  husband.  Not  with  the  accustomed 
features,  not  with  the  beauty  that  was  his,  but  pale,  naked, 
and  with  his  hair  wet  with  sea-water,  he  appeared  to 
wretched  me.  Here,  in  this  very  spot,  the  sad  vision 
stood,"  —  and  she  looked  to  find  the  mark  of  his  footsteps. 
"  This  it  was,  this  that  my  presaging  mind  foreboded,  when  I 
implored  him  not  to  leave  me,  to  trust  himself  to  the  waves. 
O,  how  I  wish,  since  thou  wouldst  go,  thou  hadst  taken  me 
with  thee  !  It  would  have  been  far  better.  Then  I  should 
have  had  no  remnant  of  Ufe  to  spend  without  thee,  nor  a 
separate  death  to  die.  If  I  could  bear  to  live  and  strug- 
gle to  endure,  I  should  be  more  cruel  to  myself  than  the 
sea  has  been  to  me.  But  I  will  not  struggle,  I  will  not  be 
separated  from  thee,  unhappy  husband.      This  time,  at 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  107 

least,  I  will  keep  thee  company.  In  death,  if  one  tomb 
may  not  include  us,  one  epitaj)!!  shall ;  if  I  may  not  lay 
my  ashes  with  thine,  my  name,  at  least,  shall  not  be  sep- 
arated." Her  grief  forbade  more  words,  and  these  were 
broken  with  tears  and  sobs. 

It  was  now  morning.  She  went  to  the  sea  shore,  and 
sought  the  spot  where  she  last  saw  him,  on  his  departure. 
"  While  he  lingered  here,  and  cast  off  his  tacklings,  he 
gave  me  his  last  kiss."  While  she  reviews  every  object, 
and  strives  to  recall  every  incident,  looking  out  over  the 
sea,  she  descries  an  indistinct  object  floating  in  the  water. 
At  first  she  was  in  doubt  what  it  was,  but  by  degrees  the 
waves  bore  it  nearer,  and  it  was  plainly  the  body  of  a  man. 
Though  unknowing  of  whom,  yet,  as  it  was  of  some  ship- 
wrecked one,  she  was  deeply  moved,  and  gave  it  her  tears, 
saying,  "  Alas  !  unhappy  one,  and  unhappy,  if  such  there 
be,  thy  wife  !  "  Borne  by  the  waves,  it  came  nearer.  As 
she  more  and  more  nearly  views  it,  she  trembles  more  and 
more.  Now,  now  it  approaches  the  shore.  Now  marks 
that  she  recognizes  appear.  It  is  her  husband !  Stretch- 
ing out  her  trembling  hands  towards  it,  she  exclaims,  "  O, 
dearest  husband,  is  it  thus  you  return  to  me  ?  " 

There  was  built  out  from  the  shore  a  mole,  constructed 
to  break  the  assaults  of  the  sea,  and  stem  its  violent  in- 
gress. She  leaped  upon  this  barrier  and  (it  was  wonderful 
she  could  do  so,)  she  flew,  and  striking  the  air  with  wings 
produced  on  the  instant,  skimmed  along  the  surface  of 
the  water,  an  unhappy  bird.  As  she  flew,  her  throat 
poured  forth  sounds  full  of  grief,  and  like  the  voice  of  one 
lamenting.  Wlieri  she  touched  the  mute  and  bloodless 
body,  she  enfolded  its  beloved  limbs  with  her  new-formed 
wings,  and  tried  to  give  kisses  with  her  horny  beak. 
Whether  Ceyx  felt  it,  or  whether  it  was  only  the  action 


103  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

of  the  waves,  those  who  looked  on  doubted,  but  the  body 
seemed  to  raise  its  head.  But  indeed  he  did  feel  it,  and 
by  the  pitying  gods  both  of  them  were  changed  into  birds. 
They  mate  and  have  their  young  ones.  For  seven  placid 
days,  in  winter  time,  Halcyone  broods  over  her  nest, 
which  floats  upon  the  sea.  Then  the  way  is  safe  to  sea- 
men, ^olus  guards  the  winds  and  keeps  them  from  dis- 
turbing the  deep.  The  sea  is  given  up,  for  the  time,  to 
his  grandchildren. 

The  following  lines  from  Byron's  Bride  of  Abydos 
might  seem  borrowed  from  the  concluding  part  of  this 
description,  if  it  were  not  stated  that  the  author  derived 
the  suggestion  from  observing  the  motion  of  a  floating 
corpse. 

"  As  shaken  on  his  restless  pillow, 
His  head  heaves  with  the  heaving  billow ; 
That  hand,  whose  motion  is  nor  life, 
Yet  feebly  seems  to  menace  strife, 
Flung  by  the  tossing  tide  on  high, 
Then  levelled  with  the  wave " 

Milton  in  his  Hymn  to  the  Nativity  thus  alludes  to  the 
fable  of  the  Halcyon  :  — 

"  But  peaceful  was  the  night 
Wherein  the  Prince  of  light 

His  reign  of  peace  upon  the  earth  began  ; 
The  winds  with  wonder  whist 
Smoothly  the  waters  kist 

Whispering  new  joys  to  the  mild  ocean, 
Who  now  hath  quite  forgot  to  rave 
While  birds  of  calm  sit  brooding  on  the  charmed  wave." 

Keats  also  in  Endymion  says,  — 

"  0  magic  sleep  !  O  comfortable  bird 
That  broodest  o'er  the  troubled  sea  of  the  mind 
Till  it  is  hushed  and  smooth." 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IlEKOKS. 


109 


Vcrtumnus  and  Pomona. 


CH  APTEE    X. 


VERTUMNUS    AND    POMONA. 


The  Hamadryads  were  Wood-nymphs.  Pomona  was 
of  this  class,  and  no  one  excelled  her  in  love  of  the  gar- 
den and  the  culture  of  fruit.  She  cared  not  for  forests 
and  rivers,  but  loved  the  cultivated  country  and  trees  that 
bear  delicious  apples.  Her  right  hand  bore  for  its  weapon 
not  a  javelin,  but  a  pruning-knife.  Armed  with  this,  she 
busied  herself  at  one  time  to  repress  the  too  luxuriant 
growths,  and  curtail  the  branches  that  straggled  out  of 
place ;  at  another,  to  split  the  twig  and  insert  therein  a 
graft,  making  the  branch  adopt  a  nursling  not  its  own. 
She  took  care,  too,  that  her  favorites  should  not  suffer 
from  drought,  and  led  streams  of  water  by  them  that  the 
thirsty  roots  might  drink.  This  occupation  was  her  pur- 
suit, her  passion;  and  she  was  free  from  that  which 
Venus  inspires.  She  was  not  without  fear  of  the  country 
10 


110  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

people,  and  kept  her  orchard  locked,  and  allowed  not  men 
to  enter.  The  Fauns  and  Satyrs  would  have  given  all 
they  possessed  to  win  her,  and  so  would  old  Sylvanus, 
who  looks  young  for  his  years,  and  Pan,  who  wears  a 
garland  of  pine  leaves  around  his  head.  But  Vertumnus 
loved  her  best  of  all ;  yet  he  sped  no  better  than  the  rest. 
O,  how  often,  in  the  disguise  of  a  reaper,  did  he  bring 
her  corn  in  a  basket,  and  looked  the  very  image  of  a 
reaper !  With  a  hay  band  tied  round  him,  one  would 
think  he  had  just  come  from  turning  over  the  grass. 
Sometimes  he  would  have  an  ox-goad  in  his  hand,  and 
you  would  have  said  he  had  just  unyoked  his  weary  oxen. 
Now  he  bore  a  pruning-hook,  and  personated  a  vine- 
dresser; and  again  with  a  ladder  on  his  shoulder,  he 
seemed  as  if  he  was  going  to  gather  apples.  Sometimes 
he  trudged  along  as  a  discharged  soldier,  and  again  he 
bore  a  fishing-rod  as  if  going  to  fish.  In  this  way,  he 
gained  admission  to  ner,  again  and  again,  and  fed  his 
passion  with  the  sight  of  her. 

One  day  he  came  in  the  guise  of  an  old  woman,  her 
gray  hair  surmounted  with  a  cap,  and  a  staff  in  her  hand. 
She  entered  the  garden  and  admired  the  fruit.  "  It  does 
you  credit,  my  dear,"  she  said,  and  kissed  her,  not  exactly 
with  an  old  woman's  kiss.  She  sat  down  on  a  bank,  and 
looked  up  at  the  branches  laden  with  fruit  which  hung 
over  her.  Opposite  was  an  elm  entwined  with  a  vine 
loaded  with  swelling  grapes.  She  praised  the  tree  and 
its  associated  vine,  equally.  "  But,"  said  she,  "  if  the  tree 
stood  alone,  and  had  no  vine  clinging  to  it,  it  would  have 
nothing  to  attract  or  offer  us  but  its  useless  leaves.  And 
equally  the  vine,  if  it  were  not  twined  round  the  elm, 
would  lie  prostrate  on  the  ground.  Why  will  you  not  take 
a  lesson  from  the  tree  and  the  vine,  and  consent  to  unite 


STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  Ill 

yourself  with  some  one?  I  wish  you  would.  Helen 
herself  had  not  moi'e  numerous  suitors,  nor  Penelope,  the 
wife  of  shrewd  Ulysses.  Even  while  you  spurn  them, 
they  court  you,  —  rural  deities  and  others  of  every  kind 
that  frequent  these  mountains.  But  if  you  are  prudent 
and  want  to  make  a  good  alliance,  and  will  let  an  old 
woman  advise  you,  —  who  loves  you  better  than  you  have 
any  idea  of,  —  dismiss  all  the  rest  and  accept  Vertumnus, 
on  my  recommendation.  I  know  him  as  well  as  he  knows 
himself  He  is  not  a  wandering  deity,  but  belongs  to 
these  mountains.  Nor  is  he  like  too  many  of  the  lovers 
nowadays,  who  love  any  one  they  happen  to  see ;  he 
loves  you,  and  you  only.  Add  to  this,  he  is  young  and 
handsome,  and  has  the  art  of  assuming  any  shape  he 
pleases,  and  can  make  himself  just  what  you  command 
him.  Moreov^er,  he  loves  the  same  things  that  you  do, 
delights  in  gardening,  and  handles  your  apples  with  admi- 
ration. But  now  he  cares  nothing  for  fruits,  nor  flowers, 
nor  any  thing  else,  but  only  yourself.  Take  pity  on  hira, 
and  fancy  hira  speaking  now  with  my  mouth.  Remember 
that  the  gods  punish  cruelty,  and  that  Venus  hates  a  hard 
heart,  and  will  visit  such  offences  sooner  or  later.  To 
prove  this,  let  me  tell  you  a  story,  which  is  well  known  in 
Cyprus  to  be  a  fact ;  and  I  hope  it  will  have  the  effect  to 
make  you  more  merciful. 

"Iphis  was  a  young  man  of  humble  parentage,  who 
saw  and  loved  Anaxarete,  a  noble  lady  of  the  ancient 
family  of  Teucer.  He  struggled  long  with  his  passion, 
but  when  he  found  he  could  not  subdue  it,  he  came  a 
suppliant  to  her  mansion.  Fii'st  he  told  his  passion  to  her 
nurse,  and  begged  her  as  she  loved  her  foster-child  to 
favor  his  suit.  And  then  he  tried  to  win  her  domestics  to 
his  side.     Sometimes  he  committed  his  vows  to  written 


112  STOKIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

tablets,  and  often  hung  at  her  door  garlands  which  he  had 
moistened  with  his  tears.  He  stretched  himself  on  her 
threshold,  and  uttered  his  complaints  to  the  cruel  bolts 
and  bars.  She  was  deafer  than  the  surges  which  rise  in 
the  November  gale ;  harder  than  steel  from  the  German 
forges,  or  a  rock  that  still  clings  to  its  native  cliff.  She 
mocked  and  laughed  at  him,  adding  cruel  Avords  to  her 
ungentle  treatment,  and  gave  not  the  slightest  gleam 
of  hope. 

"  Iphis  could  not  any  longer  endure  the  torments  of 
hopeless  love,  and,  standing  before  her  doors,  he  spake 
these  last  words  :  '  Anaxarete,  you  have  conquered,  and 
shall  no  longer  have  to  bear  my  importunities.  Enjoy 
your  triumph  !  Sing  songs  of  joy,  and  bind  your  forehead 
with  laurel, — you  have  conquered!  Idle;  stony  heart, 
rejoice !  This  at  least  I  can  do  to  gratify  you,  and  force 
you  to  praise  me ;  and  thus  shall  I  prove  that  the  love  of 
you  left  me  but  with  life.  Nor  will  I  leave  it  to  rumor  to 
tell  you  of  my  death.  I  will  come  myself,  and  you  shall 
see  me  die,  and  feast  your  eyes  on  the  spectacle.  Yet,  O, 
ye  gods,  who  look  down  on  mortal  woes,  observe  my  fate ! 
I  ask  but  this ;  let  me  be  remembered  in  coming  ages,  and 
add  those  years  to  my  fame  which  you  have  reft  from  my 
life.'  Thus  he  said,  and,  turning  his  pale  face  and  weep- 
ing eyes  towards  her  mansion,  he  fastened  a  rope  to  the 
gate-post,  on  which  he  had  often  hung  garlands,  and  put- 
ting his  head  into  the  noose,  he  murmured,  '  This  garland 
at  least  will  please  you,  cruel  girl ! '  and  falling  hung 
suspended  with  his  neck  broken.  As  he  fell  he  struck 
against  the  gate,  and  the  sound  was  as  the  sound  of  a 
groan.  The  servants  opened  the  door  and  found  him 
dead,  and  with  exclamations  of  pity  raised  him  and  car- 
ried him  home  to  his  mother,  for  his  father  was  not  living. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  113 

She  received  the  dead  body  of  her  son,  and  folded  the 
cold  form  to  her  bosom  ;  while  she  poured  forth  the  sad 
words  which  bereaved  mothei's  utter.  The  mournful 
funeral  passed  through  the  town,  and  the  pale  corpse  was 
borne  on  a  bier  to  the  place  of  the  funeral  pile.  By- 
chance  the  home  of  Anaxarete  was  on  the  street  where 
the  procession  passed,  and  the  lamentations  of  the  mourn- 
ers met  the  ears  of  her  whom  the  avenging  deity  had 
already  marked  for  punishment. 

" '  Let  us  see  this  sad  procession,'  said  she,  and  mounted 
to  a  turret,  whence  through  an  open  window  she  looked 
upon  the  funeral.  Scarce  had  her  eyes  rested  upon  the 
form  of  Iphis  stretched  on  the  bier,  when  they  began  to 
stiffen,  and  the  warm  blood  in  her  body  to  become  cold. 
Endeavoring  to  step  back,  she  found  she  could  not  move 
her  feet ;  trying  to  turn  away  her  face,  she  tried  in  vain ; 
and  by  degrees  all  her  limbs  became  stony  like  her  heart. 
That  you  may  not  doubt  the  fact,  the  statue  still  remains, 
and  stands  in  the  temple  of  Venus  at  Salamis,  in  the  ex- 
act form  of  the  lady.  Now  think  of  these  things,  my 
dear,  and  lay  aside  your  scorn  and  your  delays,  and  accept 
a  lover.  So  may  neither  the  vernal  frosts  blight  your 
young  fruits,  nor  furious  winds  scatter  your  blossoms  !  " 

When  Vertumnus  had  spoken  thus,  he  dropped  the 
disguise  of  an  old  woman,  and  stood  before  her  in  his 
proper  person,  as  a  comely  youth.  It  appeared  to  her 
like  the  sun  bursting  through  a  cloud.  He  would  have 
renewed  his  entreaties,  but  there  was  no  need  ;  his  argu- 
ments and  the  sight  of  his  true  form  prevailed,  and  the 
Nymph  no  longer  resisted,  but  owned  a  mutual  flame. 

Pomona   was   the    especial   patroness   of    the   Apple- 
orchard,  and  as  such   she   was  invoked  by  Phillips,  the 
10* 


114  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROEST 

author  of  a  poem  on  Cider,  in  blank  verse.     Thomson 
in  the  Seasons  alludes  to  him :  — 

"  Phillips,  Pomona's  bard,  the  second  thou 
"Who  nobly  durst,  in  rhyme-unfettered  verse, 
With  British  freedom,  sing  the  British  song." 

But  Pomona  was  also  regarded  as  presiding  over  other 
fruits,  and  as  such  is  invoked  by  Thomson :  — 

"  Bear  me,  Pomona,  to  thy  citron  groves. 
To  where  the  lemon  and  the  piercing  lime, 
With  the  deep  orange,  glowing  through  the  green. 
Their  lighter  glories  blend.    Lay  me  reclined 
Beneath  the  spreading  tamarind,  that  shakes, 
Fanned  by  the  breeae,  its  fever-cooling  fruit." 


STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  115 


CHAPTER    XI. 

CUPID  AND  PSYCHE. 

A  CERTAIN  king  and  queen  had  three  daughters.  The 
charms  of  the  two  elder  were  more  than  common,  but  the 
beauty  of  the  youngest  was  so  wonderful  that  the  poverty 
of  language  is  unable  to  express  its  due  praise.  The 
fame  of  her  beauty  was  so  great  that  strangers  from  neigh- 
boring countries  came  in  crowds  to  enjoy  the  sight,  and 
looked  on  her  with  amazement,  paying  her  that  homage 
which  is  due  only  to  Venus  herself.  In  fact  Venus  found 
her  altars  deserted,  while  men  turned  their  devotion  to 
this  young  virgin.  As  she  passed  along,  the  people  sang 
her  praises,  and  strewed  her  way  with  chaplets  and 
flowers. 

This  perversion  of  homage  due  only  to  the  immortal 
powers  to  the  exaltation  of  a  mortal  gave  great  offence  to 
the  real  Venus.  Shaking  her  ambrosial  locks  with  indig- 
nation, she  exclaimed,  "  Am  I  then  to  be  eclipsed  in  my 
honors  by  a  mortal  girl?  In  vain  then  did  that  royal 
shepherd  whose  judgment  was  approved  by  Jove  himself, 
give  me  the  palm  of  beauty  over  my  illustrious  rivals, 
Pallas  and  Juno.  But  she  shall  not  so  quietly  usurp  my 
honors.  I  will  give  her  cause  to  repent  of  so  unlawful  a 
beauty." 

Thereupon  she  calls  her  winged  son  Cupid,  mischievous 
enough  in  his  own  nature,  and  rouses  and  provokes  him 
yet  more  by  lier  complaints.     She  points  out  Psyche  to 


116  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

him  and  says,  "My  dear  son,  punish  that  contumacious 
heauty ;  give  thy  mother  a  revenge  as  sweet  as  her  in- 
juries are  great ;  infuse  into  the  bosom  of  that  haughty  girl 
a  passion  for  some  low,  mean,  unworthy  being,  so  that  she 
may  reap  a  mortification  as  great  as  her  present  exultation 
and  triumph." 

Cupid  prepared  to  obey  the  commands  of  his  mother. 
There  are  two  fountains  in  Venus's  garden,  one  of  sweet 
waters,  the  other  of  bitter.  Cupid  filled  two  amber  vases, 
one  from  each  fountain,  and  suspending  them  from  the  top 
of  his  quiver,  hastened  to  the  chamber  of  Psyche,  whom 
he  found  asleep.  He  shed  a  few  drops  from  the  bitter 
fountain  over  her  lips,  though  the  sight  of  her  almost 
moved  him  to  pity  ;  then  touched  her  side  with  the  point 
of  his  arrow.  At  the  touch  she  awoke,  and  opened 
eyes  upon  Cupid  (himself  invisible)  which  so  startled  him 
that  in  his  confusion  he  wounded  himself  with  his  own 
arrow.  Heedless  of  his  wound  his  whole  thought  now 
was  to  repair  the  mischief  he  had  done,  and  he  poured 
the  balmy  drops  of  joy  over  all  her  silken  ringlets. 

Psyche,  henceforth  frowned  upon  by  Venus,  derived  no 
benefit  from  all  her  charms.  True,  all  eyes  were  cast 
eagerly  upon  her,  and  every  mouth  spoke  her  praises ; 
but  neither  king,  royal  youth,  nor  plebeian  presented  him- 
self to  demand  her  in  marriage.  Her  two  elder  sisters 
of  moderate  charms  had  now  long  been  married  to  two 
royal  princes ;  but  Psyche,  in  her  lonely  apartment,  de- 
plored her  solitude,  sick  of  that  beauty,  which  while  it 
procured  abundance  of  flattery,  had  failed  to  awaken 
love. 

Her  pai'ents,  afraid  that  they  had  unwittingly  incurred 
the  anger  of  the  gods,  consulted  the  oracle  of  Apollo,  and 
received   tl^is  answer :   "  The  virgin  is  destined  for  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  117 

bride  of  no  mortal  lover.  Her  future  husband  awaits  her 
on  the  top  of  the  mountain.  He  is  a  monster  whom  nei- 
ther gods  nor  men  can  resist." 

This  dreadful  decree  of  the  oracle  filled  all  the  people 
with  dismay,  and  her  parents  abandoned  themselves  to 
grief.  But  Psyche  said,  "  Why,  my  dear  parents,  do  you 
now  lament  me  ?  You  should  rather  have  grieved  when 
the  people  showered  upon  me  undeserved  honors,  and  with 
one  voice  called  me  a  Venus.  I  now  perceive  that  I  am 
a  victim  to  that  name.  I  submit.  Lead  me  to  that  rock 
to  which  my  unhappy  fate  has  destined  me."  According- 
ly, all  things  being  prepared,  the  royal  maid  took  her 
place  in  the  procession,  which  more  resembled  a  funeral 
than  a  nuptial  pomp,  and  with  her  parents,  amid  the  lam- 
entations of  the  people,  ascended  the  mountain,  on  the 
summit  of  which  they  left  her  alone,  and  with  sorrowful 
hearts  returned  home. 

While  Psyche  stood  on  the  ridge  of  the  mountain,  pant- 
ing with  fear  and  with  eyes  full  of  tears,  the  gentle  Zephyr 
raised  her  from  the  earth  and  bore  her  with  an  easy  mo- 
tion into  a  flowery  dale.  By  degrees  her  mind  became 
composed,  and  she  laid  herself  down  on  the  grassy  bank 
to  sleep.  When  she  awoke  refreshed  with  sleep,  she 
looked  round  and  beheld  near  by  a  pleasant  grove  of  tall 
and  stately  trees.  She  entered  it,  and  in  the  midst  dis- 
covered a  fountain,  sending  forth  clear  and  crystal  waters, 
and  fast  by,  a  magnificent  palace  whose  august  front  im- 
pressed the  spectator  that  it  was  not  the  work  of  mortal 
hands,  but  the  happy  retreat  of  some  god.  Drawn  by 
admiration  and  wonder  she  approached  the  building  and 
ventured  to  enter.  Every  object  she  met  filled  her  with 
pleasure  and  amazement.  Golden  pillars  supported  the 
vaulted  roof,  and  the  walls  were  enriched  with  carvings 


118  STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

and  paintings  representing  beasts  of  the  chase  and  rural 
scenes,  adapted  to  delight  the  eye  of  the  beholder.  Pro- 
ceeding onward  she  perceived  that  besides  the  apartments 
of  state  there  were  others  filled  with  all  manner  of  treas- 
ures, and  beautiful  and  precious  productions  of  nature 
and  art. 

While  her  eyes  were  thus  occupied,  a  voice  addressed 
her,  though  she  saw  no  one,  uttering  these  words  :  "  Sov- 
ereign lady,  all  that  you  see  is  yours.  We  whose  voices 
you  hear  are  your  servants  and  shall  obey  all  your  com- 
mands with  our  utmost  care  and  diligence.  Retire  there- 
fore to  your  chamber  and  repose  on  your  bed  of  down, 
and  when  you  see  fit  repair  to  the  bath.  Supper  awaits 
you  in  the  adjoining  alcove  when  it  pleases  you  to  take 
your  seat  there." 

Psyche  gave  ear  to  the  admonitions  of  her  vocal  at- 
tendants, and  after  repose  and  the  refreshment  of  the  bath, 
seated  herself  in  the  alcove,  where  a  table  immediately 
presented  itself,  without  any  visible  aid  from  waiters  or 
servants,  and  covered  with  the  greatest  delicacies  of  food 
and  the  most  nectareous  wines.  Her  ears  too  were  feasted 
with  music  from  invisible  performers ;  of  whom  one  sang, 
another  played  on  the  lute,  and  all  closed  in  the  wonderful 
harmony  of  a  full  chorus. 

She  had  not  yet  seen  her  destined  husband.  He  came 
only  in  the  hours  of  darkness  and  fled  before  the  dawn  of 
morning,  but  his  accents  were  full  of  love,  and  inspired  a 
like  passion  in  her.  She  often  begged  him  to  stay  and  let 
her  behold  him,  but  he  would  not  consent.  On  the  con- 
trary he  charged  her  to  make  no  attempt  to  see  him,  for 
it  was  his  pleasure,  for  the  best  of  reasons,  to  keep  con- 
cealed. "  Why  should  you  wish  to  behold  me  ?  "  he  said ; 
"  have  you  any  doubt  of  my  love  ?  have  you  any  wish 


STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  119 

ungratified  ?  If  you  saw  me,  perhaps  you  would  fear  me, 
perhaps  adore  me,  but  all  I  ask  of  you  is  to  love  me.  I 
would  rather  you  would  love  me  as  an  equal  than  adore 
me  as  a  god." 

This  reasoning  somewhat  quieted  Psyche  for  a  time, 
and  while  the  novelty  lasted  she  felt  quite  happy.  But 
at  length  the  thought  of  her  parents,  left  in  ignorance  of 
her  fate,  and  of  her  sistei's,  precluded  from  sharing  with 
her  the  delights  of  her  situation,  preyed  on  her  mind  and 
made  her  begin  to  feel  her  palace  as  but  a  splendid  prison. 
When  her  husband  came  one  night,  she  told  him  her  dis- 
tress, and  at  last  drew  from  him  an  unwilling  consent  that 
her  sisters  should  be  brought  to  see  liei*. 

So  calling  Zephyr,  she  acquainted  him  with  her  hus- 
band's commands,  and  he,  promptly  obedient,  soon  brought 
them  across  the  mountain  down  to  their  sister's  valley. 
They  embraced  her  and  she  returned  their  caresses. 
"  Come,"  said  Psyche,  "  enter  with  me  my  house  and  re- 
fresh yourselves  with  whatever  your  sister  has  to  offer." 
Then  taking  their  hands  she  led  them  into  her  golden 
palace,  and  committed  them  to  the  care  of  her  numerous 
train  of  attendant  voices,  to  refresh  them  in  her  baths  and 
at  her  table,  and  to  show  them  all  her  treasures.  The 
view  of  these  celestial  delights  caused  envy  to  enter  their 
bosoms,  at  seeing  their  young  sister  possessed  of  such  state 
and  splendor,  so  much  exceeding  their  own. 

They  asked  her  numberless  questions,  among  others 
what  sort  of  a  pei'son  her  husband  was.  Psyche  replied 
that  he  was  a  beautiful  youth,  who  generally  spent  the 
daytime  in  hunting  upon  the  mountains.  The  sisters,  not 
satisfied  with  this  reply,  soon  made  her  confess  that  she 
had  never  seen  him.  Tlien  they  proceeded  to  fill  her 
bosom  with  dark  suspicions.     "  Call  to  mind,"  they  said, 


120  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

"  the  Pythian  oracle  that  declared  you  destined  to  marry 
a  direful  and  tremendous  monster.  The  inhabitants  of 
this  valley  say  that  your  husband  is  a  terrible  and  mon- 
strous serpent,  who  nourishes  you  for  a  while  with  dain- 
ties that  he  may  by  and  by  devour  you.  Take  our  advice. 
Provide  yourself  with  a  lamp  and  a  sharp  knife ;  put 
them  in  concealment  that  your  husband  may  not  discover 
thera,  and  when  he  is  sound  asleep,  slip  out  of  bed,  bring 
forth  your  lamp  and  see  for  yourself  whether  what  they 
say  is  true  or  not.  If  it  is,  hesitate  not  to  cut  off  the 
monster's  head,  and  thereby  recover  your  liberty." 

Psyche  resisted  these  persuasions  as  well  as  she  could, 
but  they  did  not  fail  to  have  their  effect  on  her  mind,  and 
when  her  sisters  Avere  gone,  their  words  and  her  own  curi- 
osity were  too  strong  for  her  to  resist.  So  she  prepared 
her  lamp  and  a  sharp  knife,  and  hid  them  out  of  sight  of 
her  husband.  When  he  had  fallen  into  his  first  sleep,  she 
silently  rose  and  uncovering  her  lamp  beheld  not  a  hid- 
eous monster,  but  the  most  beautiful  and  charming  of  the 
gods,  with  his  golden  ringlets  wandering  over  his  snowy- 
neck  and  crimson  cheek,  with  two  dewy  wings  on  his 
shoulders,  whiter  than  snow,  and  with  shining  feathers 
like  the  tender  blossoms  of  spring.  As  she  leaned  the 
lamp  over  to  have  a  nearer  view  of  his  face  a  drop  of 
burning  oil  fell  on  the  shoulder  of  the  god,  startled  with 
which  he  opened  his  eyes  and  fixed  them  full  upon  her ; 
then,  without  saying  one  word,  he  spread  his  white  wings 
and  flew  out  of  the  window.  Psyche,  in  vain  endeavoring 
to  follow  him,  fell  from  the  window  to  the  ground.  Cupid, 
beholding  her  as  she  lay  in  the  dust,  stopped  his  flight  for 
an  instant  and  said,  "  O  foolish  Psyche,  is  it  thus  you  re- 
pay my  love  ?  After  having  disobeyed  my  mother's  com- 
mands and  made  you  my  wife,  will  you  think  me  a  monster 


k 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  121 

and  cut  off  my  head  ?  But  go ;  return  to  your  sisters, 
whose  advice  you  seem  to  think  preferable  to  mine.  I 
inflict  no  other  punishment  on  you  than  to  leave  you  for- 
ever. Love  cannot  dwell  with  suspicion."  So  saying  he 
fled  away  leaving  poor  Psyche  pi'ostrate  on  the  ground, 
filling  the  place  with  mournful  lamentations. 

When  she  had  recovered  some  degree  of  composure  she 
looked  around  her,  but  the  palace  and  gardens  had  van- 
ished, and  she  found  herself  in  the  open  field  not  far  from 
the  city  where  her  sisters  dwelt.  She  repaired  thither 
and  told  them  the  whole  story  of  her  misfortunes,  at  which, 
pretending  to  grieve,  those  spiteful  creatures  inwardly  re- 
joiced ;  "  for  now,"  said  they,  "  he  will  perhaps  choose  one 
of  us."  With  this  idea,  without  saying  a  word  of  her  in- 
tentions, each  of  them  rose  early  the  next  morning  and 
ascended  the  mountain,  and  having  reached  the  top,  called 
upon  Zephyr  to  receive  her  and  bear  her  to  his  lord ;  then 
leaping  up,  and  not  being  sustained  by  Zephyr,  fell  down 
the  precipice  and  was  dashed  to  pieces. 

Psyche  meanwhile  wandered  day  and  night,  without 
food  or  repose,  in  search  of  her  husband.  Casting  her 
eyes  on  a  lofty  mountain  having  on  its  brow  a  magnificent 
temple,  she  sighed  and  said  to  herself,  "  Perhaps  my  love, 
my  lord,  inhabits  there,"  and  directed  her  steps  thither. 

She  had  no  sooner  entered  than  she  saw  heaps  of  corn, 
some  in  loose  ears  and  some  in  sheaves,  with  mingled  ears 
of  barley.  Scattered  about  lay  sickles  and  rakes,  and  all 
the  instruments  of  harvest,  without  order,  as  if  thrown 
carelessly  out  of  the  weary  reapers'  hands  in  the  sultry 
hours  of  the  day. 

This  unseemly  confusion  the  pious  Psyche  put  an  end 
to,  by  separating  and  sorting  ever}'  thing  to  its  proper 
place  and  kind,  believing  that  she  ought  to  neglect  none 
11 


122 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


of  the  gods,  but  endeavor  by  her  piety  to  engage  them  all 
in  her  behalf.  The  holy  Ceres,  whose  temple  it  was,  find- 
ing her  so  religiously  employed,  thus  spoke  to  her :  "  O 
Psyche,  truly  worthy  of  our  pity,  though  I  cannot  shield 
you  from  the  frowns  of  Venus,  yet  I  can  teach  you  how 
best  to  allay  her  displeasure.  Go  then  and  voluntarily 
surrender  yourself  to  your  lady  and  sovereign,  and  try  by 
modesty  and  submission  to  win  her  forgiveness,  and  per- 
haps her  favor  will  restore  you  the  husband  you  have  lost." 
Psyche  obeyed  the  commands  of  Ceres  and  took  her 
way  to  the  temple  of  Venus,  endeavoring  to  fortify  her 
mind  and  ruminating  on  what  she  should  say  and  how  best 
propitiate  the  angry  goddess,  feeling  that  the  issue  was 
doubtful  and  perhaps  fatal. 


Psyche,  in  terror  of  Venus. 

Venus  received  her  with  angry  countenance.  "Most 
undutiful  and  faithless  of  servants,"  said  she,  "  do  you  at 
last  remember  that  you  really  have  a  mistress  ?     Or  have 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HKKOES.  123 

you  ratlier  come  to  see  your  sick  husband,  yet  laid  up  of 
the  wound  given  him  by  his  loving  wife  ?  You  are  so  ill- 
favored  and  disagreeable  that  the  only  way  you  can  merit 
your  lover  must  be  by  dint  of  industry  and  diligence.  I 
will  make  trial  of  your  housewifery."  Then  she  ordered 
Psyche  to  be  led  to  the  storehouse  of  her  temple,  where 
was  laid  up  a  great  quantity  of  wheat,  barley,  millet, 
vetches,  beans,  and  lentils  prepared  for  food  for  her  pi- 
geons, and  said,  "  Take  and  separate  all  these  grains,  put- 
ting all  of  the  same  kind  in  a  parcel  by  themselves,  and 
see  that  you  get  it  done  before  evening."  Then  Venus 
departed  and  left  her  to  her  task. 

But  Psyche,  in  a  perfect  consternation  at  the  enormous 
work,  sat  stupid  and  silent,  without  moving  a  finger  to  the 
inextricable  heap. 

While  she  sat  despairing  Cupid  stirred  up  the  little  ant, 
a  native  of  the  fields,  to  take  compassion  on  her.  The 
leader  of  the  ant  hill,  followed  by  whole  hosts  of  his  six- 
legged  subjects,  approached  the  heap,  and  with  the  utmost 
diligence  taking  grain  by  grain,  they  separated  the  pile, 
sorting  each  kind  to  its  parcel ;  and  when  it  was  all  done, 
they  vanished  out  of  sight  in  a  moment. 

Venus  at  the  approach  of  tw^ilight  returned  from  the 
banquet  of  the  gods,  breathing  odors  and  crowned  with 
roses.  Seeing  the  task  done  she  exclaimed,  "  This  is  no 
work  of  yours,  wicked  one,  but  his,  whom  to  your  own  and 
his  misfortune  you  have  enticed."  So  saying,  she  threw 
her  a  piece  of  black  bread  for  her  supper  and  went 
away. 

Next  morning  Venus  ordered  Psyche  to  be  called  and 
said  to  her,  "  Behold  yonder  grove  which  stretches  along 
the  margin  of  the  water.  There  you  will  find  sheep  feed- 
ing without   a   shepherd,  with   golden-shining  fleeces  on 


124  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

their  backs.  Go,  fetch  me  a  sample  of  that  precious  wool 
gathered  from  every  one  of  their  fleeces." 

Psyche  obediently  went  to  the  river  side,  prepared  to 
do  her  best  to  execute  the  command.  But  the  river  god 
inspired  the  reeds  with  harmonious  murmurs,  which 
seemed  to  say,  "  O  maiden,  severely  tried,  tempt  not  the 
dangerous  flood,  nor  venture  among  the  formidable  rams 
on  the  other  side,  for  as  long  as  they  are  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  rising  sun,  they  burn  Avith  a  cruel  rage  to 
destroy  mortals  with  their  sharp  horns  or  rude  teeth.  But 
when  the  noontide  sun  has  driven  the  cattle  to  the  shade, 
and  the  serene  spii'it  of  the  flood  has  lulled  them  to  rest, 
you  may  then  cross  in  safety,  and  you  will  find  the  woolly 
gold  sticking  to  the  bushes  and  the  trunks  of  the  trees." 

Thus  the  compassionate  river  god  gave  Psyche  instruc- 
tions how  to  accomplish  her  task,  and  by  observing  his 
directions  she  soon  returned  to  Venus  with  her  arms  full 
of  the  golden  fleece  ;  but  she  received  not  the  approbation 
of  her  implacable  mistress,  who  said,  "  I  know  very  well 
it  is  by  none  of  your  own  doings  that  you  have  succeeded 
in  this  task,  and  I  am  not  satisfied  yet  that  you  have  any 
capacity  to  make  yourself  useful.  But  I  have  another 
task  for  you.  Here,  take  this  box,  and  go  your  way  to 
the  infernal  shades,  and  give  this  box  to  Proserpine  and 
say,  "  My  mistress  Venus  desires  you  to  send  her  a  little 
of  your  beauty,  for  in  tending  her  sick  son  she  has  lost 
some  of  her  own.  Be  not  too  long  on  your  errand,  for  I 
must  paint  myself  with  it  to  appear  at  the  circle  of  the 
gods  and  goddesses  this  evening." 

Psyche  was  now  satisfied  that  her  destruction  was  at 
hand,  being  obliged  to  go  with  her  own  feet  directly  down 
to  Erebus.  "Wherefore,  to  make  no  delay  of  what  was 
not  to  be  avoided,  she  goes  to  the  top  of  a  high  tower  to 


STOKIES    OP    GODS    AND    IIEKOES.  125 

precipitate  herself  headlong,  thus  to  descend  the  shortest 
way  to  the  shades  below.  But  a  voice  from  the  tower 
said  to  her,  "  Why,  poor  unlucky  girl,  dost  thou  design  to 
put  an  end  to  thy  days  in  so  dreadful  a  manner  ?  And 
what  cowardice  makes  thee  sink  under  tliis  last  danger 
who  hast  been  so  miraculously  supported  in  all  thy  for- 
mer ?  "  Then  the  voice  told  her  how  by  a  certain  cave  she 
might  reach  the  realms  of  Pluto,  and  how  to  avoid  all  the 
dangers  of  the  road,  to  pass  by  Cerberus,  the  three-headed 
dog,  and  prevail  on  Charon,  the  ferryman,  to  take  her 
across  the  black  river  and  bring  her  back  again.  But  the 
voice  added,  "  When  Proserpine  has  given  you  the  box, 
filled  with  her  beauty,  of  all  things  this  is  chiefly  to  be 
observed  by  you,  that  you  never  once  open  or  look  into 
the  box  nor  allow  your  curiosity  to  pry  into  the  treasure 
of  the  beauty  of  the  goddesses." 

Psyche  encouraged  by  this  advice  obeyed  it  in  all  things, 
and  taking  heed  to  her  ways  travelled  safely  to  the  king- 
dom of  Pluto.  She  was  admitted  to  the  palace  of  Pros- 
erpine, and  without  accepting  the  delicate  seat  or  delicious 
banquet  that  was  offered  her,  but  contented  with  coarse 
bread  for  her  food,  she  delivered  her  message  from  Venus. 
Presently  the  box  was  returned  to  her,  shut  and  filled 
with  the  precious  commodity.  Then  she  returned  the 
way  she  came,  and  glad  was  she  to  come  out  once  more 
into  the  light  of  day. 

But  having  got  so  far  successfully  through  her  dan- 
gerous task  a  longing  desire  seized  her  to  examine  the 
contents  of  the  box.  "What,"  said  she,  "shall  I,  the 
carrier  of  this  divine  beauty,  not  take  the  least  bit  to  put 
on  my  cheeks  to  appear  to  more  advantage  in  the  eyes  of 
my  beloved  husband ! "  So  she  carefully  opened  the  box, 
but  found  nothing  there  of  any  beauty  at  all,  but  an 
11* 


126  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

infernal  and  truly  Stygian  sleep,  which  being  thus  set  free 
from  its  prison,  took  possession  of  her,  and  she  fell  down 
in  the  midst  of  the  road,  a  sleejiy  corpse  without  sense  or 
motion. 

But  Cupid,  being  now  recovered  from  his  wound,  and 
not  able  longer  to  bear  the  absence  of  his  beloved  Psyche, 
slipping  through  the  smallest  crack  of  the  window  of  his 
chamber  which  happened  to  be  left  open,  flew  to  the  spot 
where  Psyche  lay,  and  gathering  up  the  sleep  from  her 
body  closed  it  again  in  the  box,  and  waked  Psyche  with 
a  light  touch  of  one  of  his  arrows.  "Again,"  said  he, 
"  hast  thou  almost  perished  by  the  same  curiosity.  But 
now  perform  exactly  the  task  imposed  on  you  by  my 
mother,  and  I  will  take  care  of  the  rest." 

Then  Cupid,  as  swift  as  lightning  penetrating  the  heights 
of  heaven,  presented  himself  before  Jupiter  with  his  sup- 
plication. Jupiter  lent  a  favoring  ear,  and  pleaded  the 
cause  of  the  lovers  so  earnestly  with  Venus  that  he  won  her 
consent.  On  this  he  sent  Mercury  to  bring  Psyche  up  to 
the  heavenly  assembly,  and  when  she  arrived,  handing 
her  a  cup  of  ambrosia,  he  said,  "  Drink  this,  Psyche,  and 
be  immortal ;  nor  shall  Cupid  ever  break  away  from  the 
knot  in  which  he  is  tied,  but  these  nuptials  shall  be 
perpetual." 

Thus  Psyche  became  at  last  united  to  Cupid,  and  in 
due  time  they  had  a  daughter  born  to  them  whose  name 
was  Pleasure. 

The  fable  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  is  usually  considered 
allegorical.  The  Greek  name  for  a  hutterjly  is  Psyche, 
and  the  same  word  means  the  soul.  There  is  no  illustra- 
tion of  the  immortality  of  the  soul  so  striking  and  beau- 
tiful as  the  butterfly,  bursting  on  brilliant  wings  from  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  127 

tomb  in  wliich  it  has  lain,  after  a  dull,  grovelling,  cater- 
pillar existence,  to  flutter  in  the  blaze  of  day  and  feed  on 
the  most  fragrant  and  delicate  productions  of  the  spring. 
Psyche  then  is  the  human  soul,  which  is  purified  by  suf- 
ferings and  misfortunes,  and  is  thus  prepared  for  the  en- 
joyment of  true  and  pure  happiness. 

In  works  of  art  Psyche  is  represented  as  a  maiden  with 
the  wings  of  a  butterfly,  along  with  Cupid,  in  the  different 
situations  described  in  the  allegory. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  story  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  in  the 
conclusion  of  his  Comus :  — 

"  Celestial  Cupid,  her  famed  son,  advanced, 
Holds  his  dear  Psyche  sweet  entranced, 
After  her  wandering  labors  long. 
Till  free  consent  the  gods  among 
Make  her  his  eternal  bride  ; 
And  from  her  fair  unspotted  side 
Two  blissful  twins  are  to  be  born. 
Youth  and  Joy ;  so  Jove  hath  sworn." 

The  allegory  of  the  story  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  is  well 
presented  in  the  beautiful  lines  of  T.  K.  Harvey :  — 

"  They  wove  bright  fables  in  the  days  of  old, 

When  reason  borrowed  fancy's  painted  wings  ; 
When  truth's  clear  river  flowed  o'er  sands  of  gold. 

And  told  in  song  its  high  and  mystic  things ! 
And  such  the  sweet  and  solemn  tale  of  her 

The  pilgrim-heart,  to  whom  a  dream  was  given. 
That  led  her  through  the  world,  —  Love's  worshipper, — 

To  seek  on  earth  for  him  whose  home  was  heaven  ! 

"  In  the  full  city,  —  by  the  haunted  fount,  — 

Through  the  dim  grotto's  tracery  of  spars, — 
'Mid  the  pine  temples,  on  the  moon-lit  mount. 

Where  silence  sits  to  listen  to  the  stars ; 
In  the  deep  glade  where  dwells  the  brooding  dove, 

The  painted  valley,  and  the  scented  air, 
She  heard  far  echoes  of  the  voice  of  Love, 

And  found  his  footsteps'  traces  every  where. 


128  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEKOES. 

"Biit  never  more  they  met !  since  doubts  and  fears, 

Those  phantom-shapes  that  haunt  and  blight  the  earth, 
Had  come  'twixt  her,  a  child  of  sin  and  tears, 

And  that  bright  spirit  of  immortal  birth ; 
Until  her  pining  soul  and  weeping  eyes 
Had  learned  to  seek  him  only  in  the  skies ; 
Till  wings  unto  the  wearj'  heart  were  given. 
And  she  became  Love's  angel  bride  in  heaven  !  " 

The  story  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  first  appears  in  the 
works  of  Apuleius,  a  writer  of  the  second  century  of  our 
era.  It  is  therefore  of  much  more  recent  date  than  most 
of  the  legends  of  the  Age  of  Fable.  It  is  this  that  Keats 
alludes  to  in  his  Ode  to  Psyche. 

"  0  latest-born  and  loveliest  vision  far 
Of  all  Olympus'  faded  hierarchy ! 
Fairer  than  Phoebe's  sapphire-regioned  star 

Or  Vesper,  amorous  glow-worm  of  the  sky; 
Fairer  than  these,  though  temple  thou  hast  none, 

Nor  altar  heaped  with  flowers ; 
Nor  virgin-choir  to  make  delicious  moan 

Upon  the  midnight  hours  ; 
No  voice,  no  lute,  no  pipe,  no  incense  sweet, 

From  chain-swung  censer  teeming ; 
No  shrine,  no  grove,  no  oracle,  no  heat 

Of  pale-mouthed  prophet  dreaming." 

In  Moore's  Summer  Fete  a  fancy  ball  is  described,  in 
which  one  of  the  characters  personated  is  Psyche. 

" not  in  dark  disguise  to-night 

Hath  our  young  heroine  veiled  her  light ;  — 
For  see,  she  walks  the  earth,  Love's  ovm. 

His  wedded  bride,  by  holiest  vow 
Pledged  in  Olympus,  and  made  known 

To  mortals  by  the  type  which  now 

Hangs  glittering  on  her  snowy  brow, 
That  butterfly,  mysterious  trinket. 
Which  means  the  soul,  (though  few  would  think  it,) 
And  sparkling  thus  on  brow  so  white 
Tells  us  we've  Psyche  here  to-night." 


STOniES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  129 


Cadmus. 


CHAPTER    XII. 


CADMUS  — THE  MYRMIDONS. 


Jupiter,  under  the  disguise  of  a  bull,  had  carried  away 
Europa,  the  daughter  of  Agenor,  king  of  Phoenicia. 
Agenor  commanded  his  son  Cadmus  to  go  in  search  of 
his  sister,  and  not  to  return  without  her.  Cadmus  went 
and  sought  long  and  far  for  his  sister,  but  could  not  find 
her,  and  not  daring  to  return  unsuccessful,  consulted  the 
oracle  of  Apollo  to  know  what  country  he  should  settle  in. 
The  oracle  informed  him  that  he  should  find  a  cow  in  the 
field,  and  should  follow  her  wherever  she  might  wander, 


130  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

and  where  she  stopped,  should  build  a  city  and  call  it 
Thebes.  Cadmus  had  hardly  left  the  Castalian  cave, 
from  which  the  oracle  was  delivered,  when  he  saw  a  young 
cow  slowly  walking  before  him.  He  followed  her  close, 
offering  at  the  same  time  his  prayers  to  Phoebus.  The 
cow  went  on  till  she  passed  the  shallow  channel  of  Cephi- 
sus  and  came  out  into  the  plain  of  Panope.  There  she 
stood  stUl,  and  raising  her  broad  forehead  to  the  sky,  filled 
the  air  with  her  lowings.  Cadmus  gave  thanks,  and 
stooping  down  kissed  the  foreign  soil,  then  lifting  his  eyes, 
greeted  the  surrounding  mountains.  Wishing  to  offer  a 
sacrifice  to  Jupiter,  he  sent  his  servants  to  seek  pure  water 
for  a  libation.  Near  by  there  stood  an  ancient  grove 
which  had  never  been  profaned  by  the  axe,  in  the  midst 
of  which  was  a  cave,  thick  covered  with  the  growth  of 
bushes,  its  roof  forming  a  low  arch,  from  beneath  which 
burst  forth  a  fountain  of  purest  water.  In  the  cave  lurked 
a  horrid  serpent  with  a  crested  head  and  scales  glittering 
like  gold.  His  eyes  shone  like  fire,  his  body  was  swollen 
with  venom,  he  vibrated  a  triple  tongue,  and  showed  a 
triple  row  of  teeth.  No  sooner  had  the  Tyrians  dipped 
their  pitchers  in  the  fountain,  and  the  ingushing  waters 
made  a  sound,  than  the  glittering  serpent  raised  his  head 
out  of  the  cave  and  uttered  a  fearful  hiss.  The  vessels 
fell  from  their  hands,  the  blood  left  their  cheeks,  they 
trembled  in  every  hmb.  The  serpent,  twisting  his  scaly 
body  in  a  huge  coil,  raised  his  head  so  as  to  overtop  the 
tallest  trees,  and  while  the  Tyrians  from  terror  could 
neither  fight  nor  fly,  slew  some  with  his  fangs,  others  in 
his  folds,  and  others  with  his  poisonous  breath. 

Cadmus  having  waited  for  the  return  of  his  men  till 
midday,  went  in  search  of  them.  His  covering  was  a 
lion's  hide,  and  besides  his  javelin  he  carried  in  his  hand 


STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  131 

a  lance,  and  in  bis  breast  a  bold  beart,  a  surer  reliance 
tban  either.  When  be  entered  the  wood,  and  saw  the 
lifeless  bodies  of  his  men,  and  the  monster  with  his  bloody 
jaws,  he  exclaimed,  "  O  faithful  friends,  I  will  avenge 
you,  or  share  your  death."  So  saying  he  lifted  a  huge 
stone  and  threw  it  with  all  his  force  at  the  serpent.  Such 
a  block  would  have  shaken  the  wall  of  a  fortress,  but  it 
made  no  impression  on  the  monster.  Cadmus  next  threw 
liis  javelin,  which  met  with  better  success,  for  it  pene- 
trated the  serpent's  scales,  and  pierced  through  to  his 
entrails.  Fierce  with  pain  the  monster  turned  back  his 
head  to  view  the  wound,  and  attempted  to  draw  out  the 
weapon  with  his  mouth,  but  broke  it  off,  leaving  the  iron 
point  rankling  in  his  flesh.  His  neck  swelled  with  rage, 
bloody  foam  covered  his  jaws,  and  the  breath  of  his  nos- 
trils poisoned  the  air  around.  Now  he  twisted  himself 
into  a  circle,  then  stretched  himself  out  on  the  ground  like 
the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree.  As  he  moved  onward,  Cad- 
mus retreated  before  him,  holding  his  spear  opposite  to 
the  monster's  opened  jaws.  The  serpent  snapped  at  the 
weapon  and  attempted  to  bite  its  iron  point.  At  last  Cad- 
mus watching  his  chance  thrust  the  spear  at  a  moment 
when  the  animal's  head  thrown  back  came  against  the 
trunk  of  a  tree,  and  so  succeeded  in  pinning  him  to  its 
side.  Plis  weight  bent  the  tree  as  he  struggled  in  the 
agonies  of  death. 

While  Cadmus  stood  over  his  conquered  foe,  contem- 
plating its  vast  size,  a  voice  was  heard  (from  whence  he 
knew  not,  but  he  heard  it  distinctly)  commanding  him  to 
take  the  dragon's  teeth  and  sow  them  in  the  earth.  He 
obeyed.  He  made  a  furrow  in  the  ground,  and  planted 
the  teeth,  destined  to  produce  a  crop  of  men.  Scarce  had 
he  done  so  when  the  clods  began  to  move,  and  the  points 


132  STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

of  spears  to  appeal'  above  the  surface.  Next  helmets 
with  their  nodding  plumes  came  up,  and  next  the  shoul- 
ders and  breasts  and  limbs  of  men  with  weapons,  and  in 
time  a  liar  vest  of  armed  warriors.  Cadmus  alarmed  pre- 
pared to  encounter  a  new  enemy,  but  one  of  them  said  to 
him,  "  Meddle  not  with  our  civil  war."  With  that  he  who 
had  spoken  smote  one  of  his  earth-born  brothers  with  a 
sword,  and  he  himself  fell  pierced  with  an  arrow  from 
another.  The  latter  fell  victim  to  a  fourth,  and  in  like 
manner  the  whole  crowd  dealt  with  each  other  till  all  fell 
slain  with  mutual  wounds,  except  five  survivors.  One  of 
these  cast  away  his  weapons  and  said,  "  Brothers,  let  us 
live  in  peace  ! "  These  five  joined  with  Cadmus  in  build- 
ing his  city,  to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Thebes. 

Cadmus  obtained  in  marriage  Harmonia,  the  daughter 
of  Venus.  The  gods  left  Olympus  to  honor  the  occasion 
with  their  presence,  and  Vulcan  presented  the  bride  with 
a  necklace  of  surpassing  brilliancy,  his  own  workmanship. 
But  a  fatality  hung  over  the  family  of  Cadmus  in  conse- 
quence of  his  killing  the  serpent  sacred  to  Mars.  Semele 
and  Ino,  his  daughters,  and  Actaeon  and  Pentheus,  his 
grandchildren,  all  perished  unhappily,  and  Cadmus  and 
Harmonia  quitted  Thebes,  now  grown  odious  to  them,  and 
emigrated  to  the  country  of  the  Enchelians,  who  received 
them  with  honor  and  made  Cadmus  their  king.  But  the 
misfortunes  of  their  children  still  weighed  upon  their 
minds ;  and  one  day  Cadmus  exclaimed,  "  If  a  serpent's 
life  is  so  dear  to  the  gods,  I  would  I  were  myself  a  ser- 
pent." No  sooner  had  he  uttered  the  words  than  he 
began  to  change  his  form.  Harmonia  beheld  it  and 
prayed  to  the  gods  to  let  her  share  his  fate.  Both  became 
serpents.  They  live  in  the  woods,  but  mindful  of  their 
origin,  they  neither  avoid  the  presence  of  man,  nor  do 
they  ever  injure  any  one. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  133 

There  is  a  tradition  that  Cadmus  introduced  into  Greece 
the  letters  of  the  alphabet  which  were  invented  by  the 
Phoenicians.  This  is  alluded  to  by  Byron  where  address- 
ing the  modern  Greeks,  he  says,  — 

"  You  have  the  letters  Cadmus  gave, 
Think  you  he  meant  them  for  a  slave  ?  " 

Milton,  describing  the  serpent  which  tempted  Eve,  is 
reminded  of  the  serpents  of  the  classical  stories  and  says,  — ' 

" pleasing  was  his  shape, 

And  lovely  :  never  since  of  serpent  kind 
Lovelier ;  not  those  that  in  lUyria  changed 
Hermione  and  Cadmus,  nor  the  god 
In  Epidaurus." 

For  an  explanation  of  the  last  allusion,  see  Epidaurus. 


THE  MYRMIDONS. 

The  Myrmidons  were  the  soldiers  of  Achilles,  in  the 
Trojan  war.  From  them  all  zealous  and  unscrupulous 
followers  of  a  political  chief  are  called  by  that  name,  down 
to  this  day.  But  the  origin  of  the  Myrmidons  would  not 
give  one  the  idea  of  a  fierce  and  bloody  race,  but  rather 
of  a  laborious  and  peaceful  one. 

Cephalus,  king  of  Athens,  arrived  in  the  island  of 
-^gina  to  seek  assistance  of  his  old  friend  and  ally  ^acus, 
the  king,  in  his  war  with  Minos,  king  of  Crete.  Cepha- 
lus was  most  kindly  received,  and  the  desired  assistance 
readily  promised.  "  I  have  people  enough,"  said  JEacus, 
"  to  protect  myself  and  spare  you  such  a  force  as  you 
need."  "  I  rejoice  to  see  it,"  replied  Cephalus,  "  and  my 
wonder  has  been  raised,  I  confess,  to  find  such  a  host  of 
youths  as  I  see  around  me,  all  apparently  of  about  the 
12 


134  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

same  age.  Yet  there  are  many  individuals  whom  I  pi'e- 
viously  knew,  that  I  look  for  now  in  vain.  What  has 
become  of  them  ?  "  ^acus  groaned,  and  replied  with  a 
voice  of  sadness,  "  I  have  been  intending  to  tell  you,  and 
will  now  do  so,  without  more  delay,  that  you  may  see 
how  fx'om  the  saddest  beginning  a  happy  result  sometimes 
flows.  Tliose  whom  you  formerly  knew  are  now  dust  and 
ashes !  A  plague  sent  by  angry  Juno  devastated  the  land. 
She  hated  it  because  it  bore  the  name  of  one  of  her 
husband's  female  favorites.  While  the  disease  appeared 
to  spring  from  natural  causes  we  resisted  it  as  we  best 
might,  by  natural  remedies ;  but  it  soon  appeared  that  the 
pestilence  was  too  powerful  for  our  efforts,  and  we  yielded. 
At  the  beginning  the  sky  seemed  to  settle  down  upon  the 
earth,  and  thick  clouds  shut  in  the  heated  air.  For  four 
months  together  a  deadly  south  wind  prevailed.  The  dis- 
order affected  the  wells  and  springs ;  thousands  of  snakes 
crept  over  the  land  and  shed  their  poison  in  the  fountains. 
The  force  of  the  disease  was  first  spent  on  the  lower  ani- 
mals, dogs,  cattle,  sheep,  and  birds.  The  luckless  plough- 
man wondered  to  see  his  oxen  fall  in  the  midst  of  their 
work,  and  lie  helpless  in  the  unfinished  furrow.  The 
wool  fell  from  the  bleating  sheep,  and  their  bodies  pined 
away.  The  horse  once  foremost  in  the  race  contested  the 
palm  no  more,  but  groaned  at  his  stall  and  died  an  inglo- 
rious death.  The  wild  boar  forgot  his  rage,  the  stag  his 
swiftness,  the  bears  no  longer  attacked  the  herds.  Every 
thing  languished ;  dead  bodies  lay  in  the  roads,  the  fields, 
and  the  woods ;  the  air  was  poisoned  by  them.  I  tell  you 
what  is  hardly  credible,  but  neither  dogs  nor  birds  would 
touch  them,  nor  starving  wolves.  Their  decay  spread  the 
infection.  Next  the  disease  attacked  the  country  people, 
and  then  the  dwellers  in  the  city.     At  first  the  cheek  was 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEKOES.  135 

flushed,  and  the  breath  drawn  with  difficulty.  The  tongue 
grew  rough  and  swelled,  and  the  dry  mouth  stood  open 
with  its  veins  enlarged  and  gasped  for  the  air.  Men  could 
not  bear  the  heat  of  their  clothes  or  their  beds,  but  pre- 
ferred to  lie  on  the  bare  ground ;  and  the  ground  did  not 
cool  them,  but  on  the  contrary,  they  heated  the  spot  where 
they  lay.  Nor  could  the  physicians  help,  for  the  disease 
attacked  them  also,  and  the  contact  of  the  sick  gave  them 
infection,  so  that  the  most  faithful  were  the  first  victims. 
At  last  all  hope  of  relief  vanished,  and  men  learned  to 
look  upon  death  as  the  only  deliverer  from  disease.  Then 
they  gave  way  to  every  inclination,  and  cared  not  to  ask 
what  was  expedient,  for  nothing  was  expedient.  All 
restraint  laid  aside,  they  crowded  around  the  wells  and 
fountains  and  drank  till  they  died,  without  quenching 
thirst.  Many  had  not  strength  to  get  away  from  the 
water,  but  died  in  the  midst  of  the  stream,  and  others 
would  drink  of  it  notwithstanding.  Such  was  their  weari- 
ness of  their  sick  beds  that  some  would  creep  forth,  and 
if  not  strong  enough  to  stand,  would  die  on  the  ground. 
They  seemed  to  hate  their  friends,  and  got  aw^ay  from 
their  homes,  as  if,  not  knowing  the  cause  of  their  sickness, 
they  charged  it  on  the  place  of  their  abode.  Some  were 
seen  tottering  along  the  road,  as  long  as  they  could  stand, 
while  others  sank  on  the  earth,  and  turned  their  dying 
eyes  around  to  take  a  last  look,  then  closed  them  in  death. 
"  What  heart  had  I  left  me,  during  all  this,  or  what 
ought  I  to  have  had,  except  to  hate  life  and  wish  to  be 
with  my  dead  subjects?  On  all  sides  lay  my  people 
strewn  like  over-ripened  apples  beneath  the  tree,  or 
acorns  under  the  storm-shaken  oak.  You  see  yonder  a 
temple  on  the  height.  It  is  sacred  to  Jupiter.  O,  how 
many  offered  prayers  there,  husbands  for  wives,  fathers 


186  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

for  sons,  and  died  in  the  very  act  of  supplication  !  How 
often,  while  the  priest  made  ready  for  sacrifice,  the  victim 
fell,  struck  down  by  disease  without  waiting  for  the  blow ! 
At  length  all  reverence  for  sacred  things  was  lost.  Bodies 
were  thrown  out  unburied,  wood  was  wanting  for  funeral 
piles,  men  fought  with  one  another  for  the  possession  of 
them.  Finally  there  were  none  left  to  mourn ;  sons  and 
husbands,  old  men  and  youths,  perished  alike  unlamented. 
"  Standing  before  the  altar  I  raised  my  eyes  to  heaven. 
'  0  Jupiter,'  I  said,  '  if  thou  art  indeed  my  father,  and  art 
not  ashamed  of  thy  offspring,  give  me  back  my  people,  or 
take  me  also  away  ! '  At  these  words  a  clap  of  thunder 
was  heard.  '  I  accept  the  omen,'  I  cried ;  *  O,  may  it  be  a 
sign  of  a  favorable  disposition  towards  me ! '  By  chance 
there  grew  by  the  place  where  I  stood  an  oak  with  wide- 
spreading  branches,  sacred  to  Jupiter.  I  observed  a 
troop  of  ants  busy  with  their  labor,  carrying  minute  grains 
in  their  mouths  and  following  one  another  in  a  line  up  the 
trunk  of  the  tree.  Observing  their  numbers  with  admira- 
tion I  said,  '  Give  me,  0  father,  citizens  as  numerous  as 
these,  and  replenish'  my  empty  city.'  The  tree  shook  and 
gave  a  rustling  sound  with  its  branches  though  no  wind 
agitated  them.  I  trembled  in  every  limb,  yet  I  kissed  the 
earth  and  the  tree.  I  would  not  confess  to  myself  that  I 
hoped,  yet  I  did  hope.  Night  came  on  and  sleep  took 
possession  of  my  frame  oppressed  with  cares.  The  tree 
stood  before  me  in  my  dreams,  with  its  numerous  branches 
all  covered  with  living,  moving  creatures.  It  seemed  to 
shake  its  limbs  and  throw  down  over  the  gi'ound  a  multi- 
tude of  those  industrious  grain-gathering  animals,  which 
appeared  to  gain  in  size,  and  grow  larger  and  larger,  and 
by-and-by  to  stand  erect,  lay  aside  their  superfluous  legs 
and  their  black  color,  and  finally  to  assume  the  human 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  137 

form.  Then  I  awoke,  and  my  first  impulse  was  to  chide 
the  gods  who  had  robbed  me  of  a  sweet  vision  and  given 
me  no  reality  in  its  place.  Being  still  in  the  temple  my 
attention  was  caught  by  the  sound  of  many  voices  with- 
out ;  a  sound  of  late  unusual  to  my  ears.  While  I  began 
to  think  I  was  yet  dreaming,  Telamon,  my  son,  throwing 
open  the  temple-gates,  exclaimed,  *  Father,  approach,  and 
behold  things  surpassing  even  your  hopes  ! '  I  went  forth ; 
I  saw  a  multitude  of  men,  such  as  I  had  seen  in  my 
dream,  and  they  were  passing  in  procession  in  the  same 
manner.  While  I  gazed  with  wonder  and  delight  they 
approached,  and  kneeling  hailed  me  as  their  king.  I  paid 
my  vows  to  Jove,  and  proceeded  to  allot  the  vacant  city  to 
the  new-born  race,  and  to  parcel  out  the  fields  among 
them.  I  called  them  Myrmidons  from  the  ant,  (myrmex,) 
from  which  they  sprang.  You  have  seen  these  persons  ; 
their  dispositions  resemble  those  which  they  had  in  their 
former  shape.  They  are  a  diligent  and  industrious  race, 
eager  to  gain,  and  tenacious  of  their  gains.  Among  them 
you  may  recruit  your  fox'ces.  They  will  follow  you  to  the 
war,  young  in  years  and  bold  in  heart." 

This  description  of  the  plague  is  copied  by  Ovid  from 
the  account  which  Thucydides,  the  Greek  historian,  gives 
of  the  plague  of  Athens.  The  historian  drew  from  life, 
and  all  the  poets  and  writers  of  fiction  since  his  day,  when 
they  have  had  occasion  to  describe  a  similar  scene,  have 
borrowed  their  details  from  him. 
12* 


138  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

NISUS  AND   SCYLLA  — ECHO  AND  NARCISSUS  — 
CLYTIE  — HERO  AND  LEANDER. 

NISUS  AND    SCYLLA. 

Minos,  king  of  Crete,  made  war  upon  Megara.  Nisus 
was  king  of  Megara,  and  Scylla  was  his  daughter.  The 
siege  had  now  lasted  six  months,  and  the  city  still  held 
out,  for  it  was  decreed  by  fate  that  it  should  not  be  taken 
so  long  as  a  certain  purple  lock,  which  ghttered  among 
the  hair  of  King  Nisus,  remained  on  his  head.  There  was 
a  tower  on  the  city  walls,  which  overlooked  the  plain 
where  Minos  and  his  army  Avere  encamped.  To  this  tow- 
er Scylla  used  to  repair,  and  look  abroad  over  the  tents 
of  the  hostile  army.  The  siege  had  lasted  so  long  that 
she  had  learned  to  distinguish  the  persons  of  the  leaders. 
Minos,  in  particular,  excited  her  admiration.  Arrayed  in 
his  helmet,  and  bearing  his  shield,  she  admired  his  grace- 
ful deportment ;  if  he  threw  his  javelin,  skill  seemed  com- 
bined with  force  in  the  discharge  j  if  he  drew  his  bow, 
Apollo  himself  could  not  have  done  it  more  gracefully. 
But  when  he  laid  aside  his  helmet,  and  in  his  purple  robes 
bestrode  his  white  horse  with  its  gay  caparisons,  and 
reined  in  its  foaming  mouth,  the  daughter  of  Nisus  was 
hardly  mistress  of  herself;  she  was  almost  frantic  with 
admiration.  She  envied  the  weapon  that  he  grasped,  the 
reins  that  he  held.     She  felt  as  if  she  could,  if  it  were 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  139 

possible,  go  to  him  through  the  hostile  ranks  ;  she  felt  an 
impulse  to  cast  herself  down  from  the  tower  into  the 
midst  of  his  camp,  or  to  open  the  gates  to  him,  or  to  do 
any  thing  else,  so  only  it  might  gratify  Minos.  As  she  sat 
in  the  tower,  she  talked  thus  with  herself:  "I  know  not 
whether  to  rejoice  or  grieve  at  this  sad  war.  I  grieve 
that  Minos  is  our  enemy ;  but  I  rejoice  at  any  cause  that 
brings  him  to  my  sight.  Perhaps  he  would  be  willing  to 
grant  us  peace,  and  receive  me  as  a  hostage.  I  would  fly 
down,  if  I  could,  and  alight  in  his  camp,  and  tell  him  that 
we  yield  ourselves  to  his  mercy.  But,  then,  to  betray 
my  father  !  No  !  rather  would  I  never  see  Minos  again. 
And  yet  no  doubt  it  is  sometimes  the  best  thing  for  a  city 
to  be  conquered,  when  the  conqueror  is  clement  and  gen- 
erous. Minos  certainly  has  right  on  his  side.  I  think  we 
shall  be  conquered ;  and  if  that  must  be  the  end  of  it, 
why  should  not  love  unbar  the  gates  to  him,  instead  of 
leaving  it  to  be  done  by  war  ?  Better  spare  delay  and 
slaughter  if  we  can.  And  0,  if  any  one  should  wound 
or  kill  Minos  !  No  one  surely  would  have  the  heart  to  do 
it ;  yet  ignorantly,  not  knowing  him,  one  might.  I  will,  I 
will  surrender  myself  to  him,  with  my  country  as  a  dowry, 
and  so  put  an  end  to  the  war.  But  how  ?  The  gates  are 
guarded,  and  my  father  keeps  the  keys ;  he  only  stands 
in  my  way.  O  that  it  might  please  the  gods  to  take  him 
away  !  But  why  ask  the  gods  to  do  it  ?  Another  woman, 
loving  as  I  do,  would  remove  with  her  own  hands  what- 
ever stood  in  the  way  of  her  love.  And  can  any  other 
woman  dare  more  than  I  ?  I  would  encounter  fire  and 
sword  to  gain  my  object ;  but  here  there  is  no  need  of  fire 
and  swor^.  I  only  need  my  father's  purple  lock.  More 
precious  than  gold  to  me,  that  will  give  me  all  I  wish." 
While  she  thus  reasoned  night  came  on,  and  soon  the 


140  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

whole  palace  was  buried  in  sleep.  She  entered  her  father's 
bedchamber  and  cut  off  the  fatal  lock  ;  then  passed  out  of 
the  city  and  entered  the  enemy's  camp.  She  demanded 
to  be  led  to  the  king,  and  thus  addressed  him :  "  I  am 
Scylla,  the  daughter  of  Nisus.  I  surrender  to  you  my 
country  and  my  father's  house.  I  ask  no  reward  but 
yourself;  for  love  of  you  I  have  done  it.  See  here  the 
purple  lock !  With  this  I  give  you  my  father  and  his 
kingdom."  She  held  out  her  hand  with  the  fatal  spoil. 
Minos  shrunk  back  and  refused  to  touch  it.  "  The  gods 
destroy  thee,  infamous  woman,"  he  exclaimed  ;  "  disgrace 
of  our  time !  May  neither  earth  nor  sea  yield  thee  a 
resting-place  !  Surely,  my  Crete,  where  Jove  himself 
was  cradled,  shall  not  be  polluted  with  such  a  monster !  " 
Thus  he  said,  and  gave  orders  that  equitable  terms  should 
be  allowed  to  the  conquered  city,  and  that  the  fleet  should 
immediately  sail  from  the  island. 

Scylla  was  frantic.  "  Ungrateful  man,"  she  exclaimed, 
"  is  it  thus  you  leave  me  ?  —  me  who  have  given  you  vic- 
tory, —  who  have  sacrificed  for  you  parent  and  country  ! 
I  am  guilty,  I  confess,  and  deserve  to  die,  but  not  by  your 
hand."  As  the  ships  left  the  shore,  she  leaped  into  the 
water,  and  seizing  the  rudder  of  the  one  which  carried 
Minos,  she  was  borne  along  an  unwelcome  companion  of 
their  course.  A  sea-eagle  soaring  aloft  —  it  was  her 
father  who  had  been  changed  into  that  form,  —  seeing  her, 
pounced  down  upon  her,  and  struck  her  with  his  beak  and 
claws.  In  terror  she  let  go  the  ship,  and  would  have 
fallen  into  the  water,  but  some  pitying  deity  changed  her 
into  a  bird.  The  sea-eagle  still  cherishes  the  old  animosi- 
ty ;  and  whenever  he  espies  her  in  his  lofty  ^ight,  you 
may  see  him  dart  down  upon  her,  with  beak  and  claws,  to 
take  vengeance  for  the  ancient  crime. 


STOKIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  141 


Echo. 


ECHO   AND   NARCISSUS. 


Echo  was  a  beautiful  nymph,  fond  of  the  woods  and 
hills,  where  she  devoted  herself  to  woodland  sports.  She 
was  a  favorite  of  Diana,  and  attended  her  in  the  chase. 
But  Echo  had  one  failing ;  she  was  fond  of  talking,  and 
whether  in  chat  or  argument,  would  have  the  last  word. 
One  day  Juno  was  seeking  her  husband,  who,  she  had 
reason  to  fear,  was  amusing  himself  among  the  nymphs. 
Echo  by  her  talk  contrived  to  detain  the  goddess  till  the 
nymphs  made  their  escape.  When  Juno  discovered  it, 
she  passed  sentence  upon  Echo  in  these  words :  "  You 
shall  forfeit  the  use  of  that  tongue  with  which  you  have 
cheated  me,  except  for  that  one  purpose  you  are  so  fond 


142  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

of — reply.  You  shall  still  have  the  last  word,  but  no 
power  to  speak  first." 

This  nymph  saw  Narcissus,  a  beautiful  youth,  as  he 
pursued  the  chase  upon  the  mountains.  She  loved  him, 
and  followed  his  footsteps.  O,  how  she  longed  to  address 
him  in  the  softest  accents,  and  win  him  to  converse  I  but 
it  was  not  in  her  power.  She  waited  with  impatience  for 
him  to  speak  first,  and  had  her  answer  ready.  One  day 
the  youth,  being  separated  from  his  companions,  shouted 
aloud,  "  Who's  here  ?  "  Echo  replied,  "  Here."  Narcis- 
sus looked  around,  but  seeing  no  one,  called  out,  "  Come." 
Echo  answered,  "  Come."  As  no  one  came,  Narcissus 
called  again,  "  Why  do  you  shun  me  ?  "  Echo  asked  the 
same  question.  "  Let  us  join  one  another,"  said  the  youth. 
The  maid  answered  with  all  her  heart  in  the  same  words, 
and  hastened  to  the  spot,  ready  to  throw  her  arms  about 
his  neck.  He  started  back,  exclaiming,  "  Hands  off !  I 
would  rather  die  than  you  should  have  me ! "  "  Have 
me,"  said  she ;  but  it  was  all  in  vain.  He  'left  her,  and 
she  went  to  hide  her  blushes  in  the  recesses  of  the  woods. 
From  that  time  forth  she  lived  in  caves  and  among  moun- 
tain cliffs.  Her  form  faded  with  grief,  till  at  last  all  her 
flesh  shrank  away.  Her  bones  were  changed  into  rocks, 
and  there  was  nothing  left  of  her  but  her  voice.  With 
that  she  is  still  ready  to  reply  to  any  one  who  calls  her 
and  keeps  up  her  old  habit  of  having  the  last  word. 

Narcissus's  cruelty  in  this  case  was  not  the  only  instance. 
He  shunned  all  the  rest  of  the  nymphs,  as  he  had  done 
poor  Echo.  One  day  a  maiden,  who  had  in  vain  en- 
deavored to  attract  him,  uttered  a  prayer  that  he  might 
^some  time  or  other  feel  what  it  was  to  love  and  meet  no 
return  of  affection.  The  avenging  goddess  heard  and 
granted  the  prayer. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  143 

There  was  a  clear  fountain,  with  water  like  silver,  to 
which  the  sliepherds  never  drove  their  flocks,  nor  the 
mountain  goats  resorted,  nor  any  of  the  beasts  of  the  for- 
est ;  neither  was  it  defaced  with  fallen  leaves  or  branches ; 
but  the  grass  gi-ew  fresh  around  it,  and  the  rocks  sheltered 
it  from  the  sun.  Hither  came  one  day  the  youth  fatigued 
with  hunting,  heated  and  thirsty.  He  stooped  down  to 
drink,  and  saw  his  own  image  in  the  water ;  he  thought  it 
was  some  beautiful  water-spirit  living  in  the  fountain. 
He  stood  gazing  with  admiration  at  those  bright  eyes, 
those  locks  curled  like  the  locks  of  Bacchus  or  Apollo,  the 
rounded  cheeks,  the  ivory  neck,  the  parted  lips,  and  the 
glow  of  health  and  exercise  over  all.  He  fell  in  love  with 
himself.  He  brought  his  lips  near  to  take  a  kiss;  he 
plunged  his  arms  in  to  embrace  the  beloved  object.  It 
fled  at  the  touch,  but  returned  again  after  a  moment  and 
renewed  the  fascination.  He  could  not  tear  himself  away ; 
he  lost  all  thought  of  food  or  rest,  while  he  hovered  over 
the  brink  of  the  fountain  gazing  upon  his  own  image. 
He  talked  with  the  supposed  spirit :  "  Why,  beautiful 
being,  do  you  shun  me  ?  Surely,  my  face  is  not  one  to 
repel  you.  The  nymphs  love  me,  and  you  yourself  look 
not  indifferent  upon  me.  When  I  stretch  forth  my  arms 
you  do  the  same ;  and  you  smile  upon  me  and  answer  my 
beckonings  with  the  like."  His  tears  fell  into  the  water 
and  disturbed  the  image.  As  he  saw  it  depart,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Stay,  I  entreat  you  !  Let  me  at  least  gaze  upon 
you,  if  I  may  not  touch  you."  With  this,  and  much  more 
of  the  same  kind,  he  cherished  the  flame  that  consumed 
him,  so  that  by  degrees  he  lost  his  color,  his  vigor,  and 
the  beauty  which  formerly  had  so  charmed  the  nymph 
Echo.  She  kept  near  him,  however,  and  when  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Alas  !  alas  !  "  she  answered  him  with  the  same 


144  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

words.  He  pined  away  and  died ;  and  when  his  shade 
passed  the  Stygian  river,  it  leaned  over  the  boat  to  catch 
a  look  of  itself  in  the  waters.  The  nymphs  mourned  for 
him,  especially  the  water-nymphs ;  and  when  they  smote 
their  breasts.  Echo  smote  hers  also.  They  prepared  a 
funeral  pile,  and  would  have  burned  the  body,  but  it  was 
nowhere  to  be  found;  but  in  its  place  a  flower,  purple 
within,  and  surrounded  Avith  white  leaves,  which  bears  the 
name  and  preserves  the  memory  of  Narcissus. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  stoiy  of  Echo  and  Narcissus  in 
the  Lady's  song  in  Comus.  She  is  seeking  her  brothers 
in  the  forest,  and  sings  to  attract  their  attention. 

"  Sweet  Echo,  sweetest  nymph,  that  liv'st  unseen 
Within  thy  aCry  shell 
By  slow  Meander's  margent  green, 
And  in  the  violet-embroidered  vale, 
Where  the  love-lorn  nightingale 
Nightly  to  thee  her  sad  song  mourncth  well ; 
Canst  thou  not  tell  me  of  a  gentle  pair 
That  likest  thy  Narcissus  are  ? 

O,  if  thou  have 
Hid  them  in  some  flowery  cave, 
Tell  me  but  where, 
Sweet  queen  of  parly,  daughter  of  the  sphere. 
So  may'st  thou  be  translated  to  the  skies, 
And  give  resounding  grace  to  all  heaven's  harmonies." 

Milton  has  imitated  the  story  of  Narcissus  in  the  ac- 
count which  he  makes  Eve  give  of  the  first  sight  of  herself 
reflected  in  the  fountain  :  — 

•  "  That  day  I  oft  remember  when  from  sleep 

I  first  awaked,  and  found  myself  reposed 
Under  a  shade  on  flowers,  much  wondering  where 
And  what  I  was,  whence  thither  brought,  and  how. 
Not  distant  far  from  thence  a  murmuring  sound 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  145 

Of  waters  issued  from  a  cave,  and  spread 

Into  a  liquid  plain,  then  stood  unmoved 

Pure  as  the  expanse  of  heaven ;  I  thither  went 

With  unexperienced  thought,  and  laid  me  down 

On  the  green  bank,  to  look  into  the  clear 

Smooth  lake  that  to  me  seemed  another  sky. 

As  I  bent  down  to  look,  just  opposite 

A  shape  within  the  watery  gleam  appeared, 

Bending  to  look  on  me.    I  started  back  ; 

It  started  back  ;  but  pleased  I  soon  returned, 

Pleased  it  returned  as  soon  with  answering  looks 

Of  sympathy  and  love.    There  had  I  fixed 

Mine  eyes  till  now,  and  pined  with  vain  desire, 

Had  not  a  voice  thus  warned  me :  '  What  thou  seest, 

What  there  thou  seest,  fair  creature,  is  thyself ; '  "  &c. 

Paradise  Lost,  Book  IV. 

No  one  of  the  fables  of  antiquity  has  been  oftener  alluded 
to  by  the  poets  than  that  of  Narcissus.  Here  are  two 
epigrams  which  treat  it  in  different  ways.  The  first  is  by 
Goldsmith :  — 

"On  a  beautiful  Youth,  struck  blind  by  Lightning." 

"  Sure  'twas  by  Providence  designed, 
Rather  in  pity  than  in  hate, 
That  he  should  be  like  Cupid  blind. 
To  save  him  from  Narcissus'  fate." 

The  other  is  by  Cowper  :  — 

"On  an  ugly  Fellow. 

"  Beware,  my  friend,  of  crystal  brook 
Or  fountain,  lest  that  hideous  hook, 

Thy  nose,  thou  chance  to  see ; 
Narcissus'  fate  would  then  be  thine. 
And  self-detested  thou  would'st  pine, 
As  self-enamoured  he." 
13 


1^  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 


CLYTIE. 

Clytie  was  a  water-nymph  and  in  love  with  Apollo,  who 
made  her  no  return.  So  she  pined  away,  sitting  all  day 
long  upon  the  cold  ground,  with  her  unbound  tresses 
streaming  over  her  shoulders.  Nine  days  she  sat  and 
tasted  neither  food  nor  drink,  her  own  tears  and  the  chilly 
dew  her  only  food.  She  gazed  on  the  sun  when  he  rose, 
and  as  he  passed  through  his  daily  course  to  his  setting ; 
she  saw  no  other  object,  her  face  turned  constantly  on 
him.  At  last,  they  say,  her  limbs  rooted  in  the  ground, 
her  face  became  a  flower,  which  turns  on  its  stem  so  as 
always  to  face  the  sun  throughout  its  daily  course  ;  for  it 
retains  to  that  extent  the  feeling  of  the  nymph  from  whom 
it  sprang. 

Hood  in  his  Flowers  thus  alludes  to  Clytie :  — 

"  I  will  not  have  the  mad  Clytie, 

Whose  head  is  turned  by  the  sun ; 
The  tulip  is  a  courtly  quean, 

Whom  therefore  1  will  shun ; 
The  cowslip  is  a  country  wench. 

The  violet  is  a  nun ;  — 
But  I  will  woo  the  dainty  rose, 

The  queen  of  every  one." 

The  sunflower  is  a  favorite  emblem  of  constancy.  Thus 
Moore  uses  it :  — 

"  The  heart  that  has  truly  loved  never  forgets. 
But  as  truly  loves  on  to  the  close ; 
As  the  sunflower  turns  on  her  god  when  he  sets 
The  same  look  that  she  turned  when  he  rose." 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  147 


HERO  AND   LEANDER. 

Leander  was  a  youth  of  Abydos,  a  town  of  the  Asian 
side  of  the  strait  Avhich  sepai'ates  Asia  and  Europe.  On 
the  opposite  shore  in  the  town  of  Sestos  lived  the  maiden 
Hero,  a  priestess  of  Venus.  Leander  loved  her,  and  used 
to  swim  the  strait  nightly  to  enjoy  the  company  of  his 
mistress.  But  one  night  a  tempest  arose  and  the  sea  was 
rough ;  his  strength  failed,  and  he  was  droAvned.  The 
waves  boi'e  his  body  to  the  European  shore,  where  Hero 
became  aware  of  his  death,  and  in  her  despair  cast  herself 
down  from  a  tower  into  the  sea  and  perished. 

The  story  of  Leander's  swimming  the  Hellespont  was 
looked  upon  as  fabulous,  and  the  feat  considered  impossi- 
ble, till  Lord  Byron  proved  its  possibility  by  performing  it 
himself.     In  the  Bride  of  Abydos  he  says,  — 

"  These  limbs  that  buoyant  wave  hath  borne." 

The  distance  in  the  narrowest  part  is  almost  a  mile,  and 
there  is  a  constant  current  setting  out  from  the  Sea  of 
Marmora  into  the  Archipelago.  Since  Byron's  time  the 
feat  has  been  achieved  by  others ;  but  it  yet  remains  a 
test  of  strength  and  skill  in  the  art  of  swimming  sufficient 
to  give  a  wide  and  lasting  celebrity  to  any  one  of  our 
readers  who  may  dare  to  make  the  attempt  and  succeed 
in  accomplishing  it. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  second  canto  of  the  same  poem, 
Byron  thus  alludes  to  this  story  :  — 

"  The  winds  are  high  on  Helle's  wave, 
As  on  that  night  of  stormiest  water, 


148 


STOBIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES. 


When  Love,  who  sent,  forgot  to  save 
The  young,  the  beautiful,  the  brave, 

The  lonely  hope  of  Sestos'  daughter. 
O,  when  alone  along  the  sky 
The  turret-torch  was  blazing  high. 
Though  rising  gale  and  breaking  foam, 
And  shrieking  sea-birds  warned  him  home ; 
And  clouds  aloft  and  tides  below, 
With  signs  and  sounds  forbade  to  go. 
He  could  not  see,  he  would  not  hear 
Or  sound  or  sight  foreboding  fear. 
His  eye  but  saw  that  light  of  love, 
The  only  star  it  hailed  above ; 
His  ear  but  rang  with  Hero's  song, 
•  Ye  waves,  divide  not  lovers  long.' 
That  tale  is  old,  but  love  anew 
May  nerve  young  hearts  to  prove  as  true." 


STORIES    OF    GODS    XSD    HEROES. 


149 


Minerva  and  Arachne. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

MINERVA  — NIOBE. 


MINERVA. 

Minerva,  the  goddess  of  wisdom,  was  the  daughter  of 
Jupiter.  She  was  said  to  have  leaped  forth  from  his 
brain,  mature,  and  in  complete  armor.  She  presided  over 
the  useful  and  ornamental  arts,  both  those  of  men,  —  such 
as  agriculture  and  navigation  —  and  those  of  women,  — 
spinning,  weaving,  and  needle-work.  She  was  also  a  war- 
like divinity ;  but  it  was  defensive  war  only  that  she  pat- 
13* 


150  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

ronized,  and  she  had  no  sympathy  with  Mars's  savage  love 
of  violence  and  bloodshed.  Athens  was  her  chosen  seat, 
her  own  city,  awarded  to  her  as  the  prize  of  a  contest 
with  Neptune,  who  also  aspired  to  it.  The  tale  ran  that 
in  the  reign  of  Cecrops,  the  first  king  of  Athens,  the  two 
deities  contended  for  the  possession  of  the  city.  The  gods 
decreed  that  it  should  be  awarded  to  that  one  who  pro- 
duced the  gift  most  useful  to  mortals.  Neptune  gave  the 
horse ;  Minerva  produced  the  olive.  The  gods  gave  judg- 
ment that  the  olive  was  the  more  useful  of  the  two,  and 
awarded  the  city  to  the  goddess ;  and  it  was  named  after 
her,  Athens. 

There  was  another  contest,  in  which  a  mortal  dared  to 
come  in  competition  with  Minerva.  That  mortal  was 
Arachne,  a  maiden  who  had  attained  such  skill  in  the  arts 
of  weaving  and  embroidery  that  the  Nymphs  themselves 
would  leave  their  groves  and  fountains  to  come  and  gaze 
upon  her  work.  It  was  not  only  beautiful  when  it  was 
done,  but  beautiful  also  in  the  doing.  To  watch  her,  as 
she  took  the  wool  in  its  rude  state  and  formed  it  into  rolls, 
or  separated  it  with  her  fingers  and  carded  it  till  it  looked 
as  light  and  soft  as  a  cloud,  or  twirled  the  spindle  with 
skilful  touch,  or  wove  the  web,  or,  after  it  was  woven, 
adorned  it  with  her  needle,  one  would  have  said  that  Mi- 
nerva herself  had  taught  her.  But  this  she  denied,  and 
could  not  bear  to  be  thought  a  pupil  even  of  a  goddess. 
"  Let  Minerva  try  her  skill  with  mine,"  said  she ;  "  if 
beaten,  I  will  pay  the  penalty."  Minerva  heard  this  and 
was  displeased.  She  assumed  the  form  of  an  old  woman, 
and  went  and  gave  Arachne  some  friendly  advice.  "  I 
have  had  much  experience,"  said  she,  "  and  I  hope  you 
will  not  despise  my  counsel.  Challenge  your  fellow-mor- 
tals as  you  will,  but  do  not  compete  with  a  goddess.     On 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  151 

the  contrary,  I  advise  you  to  ask  her  forgiveness  for  what 
you  have  said,  and  as  she  is  merciful,  pei-haps  she  will 
pardon  you."  Arachne  stopped  her  spinning,  and  looked 
at  the  old  dame  with  anger  in  her  countenance.  "  Keep 
your  counsel,"  said  she,  "  for  your  daughters  or  hand- 
maids ;  for  my  part,  I  know  what  I  say,  and  I  stand  to 
it.  I  am  not  afraid  of  the  goddess ;  let  her  try  her  skill, 
if  she  dare  venture."  "  She  comes,"  said  Minerva ;  and 
dropping  her  disguise,  stood  confessed.  The  Nymphs 
bent  low  in  homage,  and  all  the  bystanders  paid  reverence. 
Arachne  alone  was  unterrified.  She  blushed,  indeed ;  a 
sudden  color  dyed  her  cheek,  and  then  she  grew  pale. 
But  she  stood  to  her  resolve,  and  with  a  foolish  conceit  of 
her  own  skill  rushed  on  her  fate.  Minerva  forbore  no 
longer,  nor  interposed  any  further  advice.  They  proceed 
to  the  contest.  Each  takes  her  station  and  attaches  the 
web  to  the  beam.  Then  the  slender  shuttle  is  passed  in 
and  out  among  the  threads.  The  reed  with  its  fine  teeth 
strikes  up  the  woof  into  its  place  and  compacts  the  web. 
Both  work  with  speed  ;  their  skilful  hands  move  rapidly, 
and  the  excitement  of  the  contest  makes  the  labor  light. 
Wool  of  Tyrian  dye  is  contrasted  with  that  of  other  col- 
ors, shaded  off  into  one  another  so  adroitly  that  the  joining 
deceives  the  eye.  Like  the  bow,  whose  long  arch  tinges 
the  heavens,  formed  by  sunbeams  reflected  from  the 
shower,*  in  which,  where  the  colors  meet  they  seem  as 
one,  but  at  a  little  distance  from  the  point  of  contact  are 
wholly  different. 

Minerva  wrought  on  her  web  the  scene  of  her  contest 
with  Neptune.     Twelve  of  the  heavenly  powers  are  rep- 


•  This  correct  description  of  the  rainbow  is  literally  translated  from 
Ovid. 


152  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

resented,  Jupiter,  with  august  gravity,  sitting  in  the  midst 
Neptune,  the  ruler  of  the  sea,  holds  his  trident,  and  ap- 
pears to  ha%'e  just  smitten  the  earth,  from  which  a  horse 
has  leaped  forth.  Minerva  depicted  herself  with  helmed 
head,  her  JEgis  covering  her  breast.  Such  was  the  central 
circle ;  and  in  the  four  corners  were  represented  incidents 
illustrating  the  displeasure  of  the  gods  at  such  presumptu- 
ous mortals  as  had  dared  to  contend  with  them.  These 
were  meant  as  warnings  to  her  rival  to  give  up  the  con- 
test before  it  was  too  late. 

Arachne  filled  her  web  with  subjects  designedly  chosen 
to  exhibit  the  failings  and  errors  of  the  gods.  One  scene 
represented  Leda  caressing  the  swan,  under  which  form 
Jupiter  had  disguised  himself;  and  another,  Danae,  in  the 
brazen  tower  in  which  her  father  had  imprisoned  her,  but 
where  the  god  effected  his  entrance  in  the  form  of  a  golden 
shower.  Still  another  depicted  Europa  deceived  by  Jupi- 
ter under  the  disguise  of  a  bull.  Encouraged  by  the 
tameness  of  the  animal,  Europa  ventured  to  mount  his 
back,  whereupon  Jupiter  advanced  into  the  sea,  and  swam 
with  her  to  Crete.  You  would  have  thought  it  was  a  real 
bull,  so  naturally  was  it  wrought,  and  so  natural  the  water 
in  which  it  swam.  She  seemed  to  look  with  longing  eyes 
back  upon  the  shore  she  was  leaving,  and  to  call  to  her  com- 
panions for  help.  She  appeared  to  shudder  with  terror  at 
the  sight  of  the  heaving  waves,  and  to  draw  back  her  feet 
from  the  water. 

Arachne  filled  her  canvas  with  similar  subjects,  wonder- 
fully well  done,  but  strongly  marking  her  presumption  and 
impiety.  Minerva  could  not  forbear  to  admire,  yet  felt 
indignant  at  the  insult.  She  struck  the  web  with  her 
shuttle,  and  rent  it  in  pieces ;  she  then  touched  the  fore- 
head of  Arachne,  and  made  her  feel  her  guilt  and  shame. 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  153 

She  could  not  endure  it,  and  went  and  hanged  herself. 
Minerva  pitied  her  as  she  saw  her  suspended  by  a  rope. 
"  Live,"  she  said,  "  guilty  woman  !  —  and  that  you  may 
preserve  the  memory  of  this  lesson  continue  to  hang,  both 
you  and  your  descendants,  to  all  future  times."  She 
sprinkled  her  with  the  juices  of  aconite,  and  immediately 
her  hair  came  off,  and  her  nose  and  ears  likewise.  Her 
form  shrank  up,  and  her  head  grew  smaller  yet ;  her  fin- 
gers cleaved  to  her  side,  and  served  for  legs.  All  the  rest 
of  her  is  body,  out  of  which  she  spins  her  thread,  often 
hanging  suspended  by  it,  in  the  same  attitude  as  when 
Minerva  touched  her  and  transformed  her  into  a  spider. 

Spenser  tells  the  story  of  Arachne  in  his  Muiopotmos, 
adhering  very  closely  to  his  master  Ovid,  but  improving 
upon  him  in  the  conclusion  of  the  story.  The  two  stan- 
zas which  follow  tell  what  was  done  after  the  goddess  had 
depicted  her  creation  of  the  olive  tree :  — 

"  Amongst  these  leaves  she  made  a  Butterfly, 
With  excellent  device  and  wondrous  slight, 
Fluttering  among  the  olives  wantonly, 
That  seemed  to  live,  so  like  it  was  in  sight ; 
The  velvet  nap  which  on  his  wings  doth  lie, 
The  silken  down  with  which  his  back  is  dight, 
His  broad  outstretched  horns,  his  hairy  thighs, 
His  glorious  colors,  and  his  glistening  eyes."  * 

"  Which  when  Arachne  saw,  as  overlaid 
And  mastered  with  workmanship  so  rare, 
She  stood  astonicd  long,  ne  aught  gainsaid; 
And  with  fast-fixed  eyes  on  her  did  stare, 

*  Sir  James  Mackintosh  says  of  this,  "  Do  you  think  that  even  a 
Chinese  could  paint  the  gay  colors  of  a  butterfly  with  more  minute 
exactness  than  the  following  lines  — '  The  velvet  nap,  &c.'  ? " 

Life,-yo\.  II.  246. 


154  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

And  by  her  silence,  sign  of  one  dismayed, 
The  victory  did  yield  her  as  her  share : 
Yet  did  she  inly  fret  and  felly  burn, 
And  all  her  blood  to  poisonous  rancor  turn." 

And  so  the  metamorphosis  is  caused  by  Arachne's  own 
mortification  and  vexation,  and  not  by  any  direct  act  of 
the  goddess. 

The  following  specimen  of  old-fashioned  gallantry  is 
by  Garrick:  — 

Upox  a  Lady's  Embroidery. 

"  Arachne  once,  as  poets  tell, 
A  goddess  at  her  art  defied. 
And  soon  the  daring  mortal  fell 
The  hapless  victim  of  her  pride. 

O,  then  beware  Arachne's  fate  ; 

Be  prudent,  Chloe,  and  submit, 
For  you'll  most  surely  meet  her  hate, 

Who  rival  both  her  art  and  wit." 

Tennyson,  in  his  Palace  of  Art,  describing  the  works 
of  art  with  which  the  palace  was  adorned,  thus  alludes  to 
Europa :  — 


sweet  Europa's  mantle  blew  unclasped 


From  off  her  shoulder,  backward  borne, 
From  one  hand  drooped  a  crocus,  one  hand  grasped 
The  mild  bull's  golden  horn." 

In  his  Princess  there  is  this  allusion  to  Danae ;  — 

"Now  lies  the  earth  all  Danae  to  the  stars, 
And  all  thy  heart  lies  open  unto  me." 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    nEROES.  155 


NIOBE. 

The  fate  of  Arachne  was  noised  abroad  through  all 
the  country,  and  served  as  a  wamuig  to  all  presumptuous 
mortals  not  to  compare  themselves  with  the  divinities. 
But  one,  and  she  a  matron  too,  failed  to  learn  the  lesson 
of  humility.  It  was  Niobe,  the  queen  of  Thebes.  She 
had  indeed  much  to  be  proud  of;  but  it  was  not  her  hus- 
band's fame,  nor  her  own  beauty,  nor  their  great  descent, 
nor  the  power  of  their  kingdom  that  elated  her.  It  was 
her  children ;  and  truly  the  happiest  of  mothers  would 
Niobe  have  been,  if  only  she  had  not  claimed  to  be  so. 
It  was  on  occasion  of  the  annual  celebration  in  honor  of 
Latona  and  her  offspring,  Apollo  and  Diana,  —  when  the 


156  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

people  of  Thebes  were  assembled,  their  brows  crowned 
with  laurel,  bearing  frankincense  to  the  altars  and  paying 
their  vows,  —  that  Niobe  appeared  among  the  crowd. 
Her  attire  was  splendid  with  gold  and  gems,  and  her 
aspect  beautiful  as  the  face  of  an  angry  woman  can  be. 
She  stood  and  surveyed  the  people  with  haughty  looks. 
"  What  folly,"  said  she,  "  is  this  !  —  to  prefer  beings  whom 
you  never  saw  to  those  who  stand  before  your  eyes! 
Why  should  Latona  be  honored  with  worship,  and  none 
be  paid  to  me  ?  My  father  was  Tantalus,  who  was  re- 
ceived as  a  guest  at  the  table  of  the  gods ;  my  mother 
was  a  goddess.  My  husband  built  and  rules  this  city, 
Thebes,  and  Phrygia  is  my  paternal  inheritance.  Wher- 
ever I  turn  my  eyes  I  survey  the  elements  of  my 
power ;  nor  is  my  form  and  presence  unworthy  of  a  god- 
dess. To  all  this  let  me  add,  I  have  seven  sons  and  seven 
daughters,  and  look  for  sons-in-law  and  daughters-in-law  of 
pretensions  worthy  of  my  alliance.  Have  I  not  cause  for 
pride  ?  Will  you  prefer  to  me  this  Latona,  the  Titan's 
daughter,  with  her  two  children  ?  I  have  seven  times  as 
many.  Fortunate  indeed  am  I,  and  fortunate  I  shall  re- 
main !  Will  any  one  deny  this  ?  My  abundance  is  my 
security.  I  feel  myself  too  strong  for  Fortune  to  subdue. 
She  may  take  from  me  much  ;  I  shall  still  have  much  left. 
Were  I  to  lose  some  of  my  children,  I  should  hardly  be 
left  as  poor  as  Latona  with  her  two  only.  Away  with 
you  from  these  solemnities,  —  put  off  the  laurel  from  your 
brows,  —  have  done  with  this  worship  !  "  The  people 
obeyed,  and  left  the  sacred  services  uncompleted. 

The  goddess  was  indignant.  On  the  Cynthian  moun- 
tain top,  where  she  dwelt,  she  thus  addressed  her  son  and 
daughter :     "  My  children,  I  who  have  been  so  proud  of 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  157 

you  both,  and  have  been  used  to  hold  myself  second  to 
none  of  the  goddesses  except  Juno  alone,  begm  now  to 
doubt  whether  I  am  indeed  a  goddess.  I  shall  be  de- 
prived of  my  worship  altogethei'  unless  you  protect  me." 
She  was  proceeding  in  this  strain,  but  Apollo  interrupted 
her.  •'  Say  no  more,"  said  he  ;  "  speech  only  delays  pun- 
ishment." So  said  Diana  also.  Darting  through  the  air, 
veiled  in  clouds,  they  alighted  on  the  towers  of  the  city. 
Spread  out  before  the  gates  was  a  broad  plain,  where  the 
youth  of  the  city  pursued  their  warlike  sports.  The  sons 
of  Niobe  were  there  with  the  rest,  —  some  mounted  on 
spirited  horses  richly  caparisoned,  some  driving  gay  chari- 
ots. Ismenos,  the  first-born,  as  he  guided  his  foaming 
steeds,  struck  with  an  arrow  from  above,  cried  out,  "  Ah 
me ! "  —  dropped  the  reins  and  fell  lifeless.  Another, 
hearing  the  sound  of  the  bow,  —  like  a  boatman  who  sees 
the  storm  gathering  and  makes  all  sail  for  the  port,  —  gave 
the  rein  to  his  horses  and  attempted  to  escape.  The  in- 
evitable arrow  overtook  him  as  he  fled.  Two  others, 
younger  boys,  just  from  their  tasks,  had  gone  to  the  play- 
ground to  have  a  game  of  wrestling.  As  they  stood 
breast  to  breast,  one  arrow  pierced  them  both.  They 
uttered  a  cry  together,  together  cast  a  parting  look  around 
them,  and  together  breathed  their  last.  Alphenor,  an 
elder  brother,  seeing  them  fall  hastened  to  the  spot  to 
render  assistance,  and  fell  stricken  in  the  act  of  brotherly 
duty.  One  only  was  left,  Ilioneus.  He  raised  his  arms 
to  heaven  to  try  whether  prayer  might  not  avail.  "  Spare 
1116,  ye  gods !  "  he  cried,  addressing  all,  in  his  ignorance 
that  all  needed  not  his  intercessions ;  and  Apollo  would 
have  spared  him,  but  the  arrow  had  already  left  the  string, 
and  it  was  too  late. 

The  terror  of  the  people  and  grief  of  the  attendants 
14 


158  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

soon  made  Niobe  acquainted  with  what  had  taken  place. 
She  could  hardly  think  it  possible  ;  she  was  indignant  that 
the  gods  had  dared  and  amazed  that  they  had  been  able 
to  do  it.  Her  husband,  Amphion,  overwhelmed  with  the 
blow,  destroyed  himself.  Alas!  how  different  was  this 
Niobe  from  her  who  had  so  lately  driven  away  the  people 
from  the  sacred  rites,  and  held  her  stately  course  through 
the  city,  the  envy  of  her  friends,  now  the  pity  even  of  her 
foes  !  She  knelt  over  the  lifeless  bodies,  and  kissed,  now 
one,  now  another  of  her  dead  sons.  Raising  her  pallid 
arms  to  heaven,  "  Cruel  Latona,"  said  she,  "feed  full  your 
rage  with  my  anguish !  Satiate  your  hard  heart,  while  I 
follow  to  the  grave  my  seven  sons.  Yet  where  is  your 
triumph  ?  Bereaved  as  I  am,  I  am  still  richer  than  you, 
my  conqueror."  Scarce  had  she  spoken,  when  the  bow 
sounded  and  struck  terror  into  all  hearts  except  Niobe's 
alone.  She  was  brave  from  excess  of  grief.  The  sisters 
stood  in  garments  of  mourning  over  the  biers  of  their 
dead  brothers.  One  fell,  struck  by  an  arrow,  and  died  on 
the  corpse  she  was  bewailing.  Another,  attempting  to 
console  her  mother,  suddenly  ceased  to  speak,  and  sank 
lifeless  to  the  earth.  A  third  tried  to  escape  by  flight,  a 
fourth  by  concealment,  another  stood  trembling,  uncertain 
what  course  to  take.  Six  were  now  dead,  and  only  one 
remained,  whom  the  mother  held  clasped  in  her  arms,  and 
covered  as  it  were  with  her  whole  body.  "  Spare  tne  one, 
and  that  the  youngest !  O,  spare  me  one  of  so  many ! " 
she  cried ;  and  while  she  spoke,  that  one  fell  dead.  Deso- 
late she  sat,  among  sons,  daughters,  husband,  all  dead,  and 
seemed  torpid  with  grief.  The  breeze  moved  not  her 
hair,  no  color  was  on  her  cheek,  her  eyes  ghired  fixed  and 
immovable,  there  was  no  sign  of  life  about  her.  Her 
very  tongue  cleaved  to  the  roof  of  her  mouth,  and  her  veins 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  159 

ceased  to  convey  the  tide  of  life.  Her  neck  bent  not,  her 
arms  made  no  gesture,  her  foot  no  step.  She  was  changed 
to  stone,  within  and  without.  Yet  tears  continued  to 
flow ;  and,  borne  on  a  whirlwind  to  her  native  mountain, 
she  still  remains,  a  mass  of  rock,  from  which  a  trickling 
stream  flows,  the  tribute  of  her  never-ending  grief. 

The  story  of  Niobe  has  furnished  Byron  with  a  fine 
illustration  of  the  fallen  condition  of  modern  Rome :  — 

"  The  Niobe  of  nations !  there  she  stands, 
Childless  and  crownless  in  her  voiceless  woe  ; 
An  empty  urn  within  her  withered  hands, 
Whose  holy  dust  was  scattered  long  ago ; 
The  Scipios'  tomb  contains  no  ashes  now : 
The  very  sepulchres  lie  tenantless 
Of  their  heroic  dwellers ;  dost  thou  flow, 
Old  Tiber !  through  a  marble  wilderness  ? 

Rise  with  thy  yellow  waves,  and  mantle  her  distress. 

Childe  Harold,  IV.  79. 

Our  illustration  of  this  story  is  a  copy  of  a  celebrated 
statue  in  the  imperial  gallery  of  Florence.  It  is  the  prin- 
cipal figure  of  a  group  supposed  to  have  been  originally 
arranged  in  the  pediment  of  a  temple.  The  figure  of 
the  mother  clasped  by  the  arm  of  her  terrified  child,  is 
one  of  the  most  admired  of  the  ancient  statues.  It  ranks 
with  the  Laocoon  and  the  Apollo  among  the  masterpieces 
of  art.  The  following  is  a  translation  of  a  Greek  epi- 
gram supposed  to  relate  to  this  statue :  — 

"  To  stone  the  gods  have  changed  her,  but  in  vain  ; 
The  sculptor's  art  has  made  her  breathe  again." 

Tragic  as  is  the  story  of  Niobe  we  cannot  forbear  lo 
smile  at  the  use  Moore  has  made  of  it  in  llhyraes  on  the 
lload :  — 


160  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

"  'Twas  in  his  carriage  the  sublime 
Sir  Richard  Blackmore  used  to  rhjTne, 
And,  if  the  wits  don't  do  him  ^^Tong, 
'Twixt  death  and  epics  passed  his  time. 
Scribbling  and  killing  all  day  long ; 

Like  Phoebus  in  his  car  at  ease, 
Now  warbling  forth  a  lofty  song, 
Now  murdering  the  Toung  Niobes." 

Sir  Richard  Blackmore  was  a  physician,  and  at  the 
same  time  a  very  prolific  and  very  tasteless  poet,  whoso 
works  are  now  foi'gotten,  unless  when  recalled  to  mind  by 
some  wit  like  Moore  for  the  sake  of  a  joke. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  161 


CHAPTER     XV. 

THE   GR^^    OR    GRAY-MAIDS  —  PERSEUS  —  MEDU- 
SA —  ATLAS  —  ANDROMEDA. 

THE   GUJ^M  AND   GORGONS. 

The  Graeae  were  three  sisters  who  were  gray-haired 
from  their  birth,  whence  their  name.  The  Gorgons  were 
monstrous  females  with  huge  teeth  like  those  of  swine, 
brazen  claws,  and  snaky  hair.  None  of  these  beings  make 
much  figure  in  mythology  except  Medusa,  the  Gorgon, 
whose  story  we  shall  next  advert  to.  We  mention  them 
chiefly  to  introduce  an  ingenious  theory  of  some  modern 
writers,  namely,  that  the  Gorgons  and  Grasae  were  only 
personifications  of  the  terrors  of  the  sea,  the  former  de- 
noting the  strong  billows  of  the  wide  open  main,  and  the 
latter  the  wAiVe-crested  waves  that  dash  against  the  rocks 
of  the  coast.  Their  names  in  Greek  signify  the  above 
epithets. 

PERSEUS  AND  MEDUSA. 

Perseus  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Danac.  His  grand- 
father Acrisius  alarmed  by  an  oracle  which  had  told  him 
that  his  daughter's  child  would  be  the  instrument  of  his 
death,  caused  the  mother  and  child  to  be  shut  up  in  a 
chest  and  set  adrift  on  the  sea.  The  chest  floated  towards 
Seriphus,  where  it  was  found  by  a  fisherman  who  con- 
14* 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

veyed  the  mother  and  infant  to  Polydectes,  king  of  the 
country,  by  whom  they  were  treated  with  kindness. 
When  Perseus  was  grown  up  Polydectes  sent  him  to 
attempt  the  conquest  of  Medusa,  a  terrible  monster  who 
had  laid  waste  the  country.  She  was  once  a  beautiful 
maiden  whose  hair  was  her  chief  glory,  but  as  she  dared 
to  vie  in  beauty  with  Minerva,  the  goddess  deprived  her 
of  her  charms  and  changed  her  beautiful  ringlets  into 
hissing  serpents.  She  became  a  cruel  monster  of  so 
frightful  an  aspect  that  no  living  thing  could  behold  her 
without  being  turned  into  stone.  All  around  the  cavern 
where  she  dwelt  might  be  seen  the  stony  figures  of  men 
and  animals  which  had  chanced  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  her 
and  had  been  petrified  with  the  sight.  Perseus,  favored 
by  Minerva  and  Mercury,  the  former  of  whom  lent  him 
her  shield  and  the  latter  his  winged  shoes,  approached 
Medusa  while  she  slept,  and  taking  care  not  to  look  di- 
rectly at  her,  but  guided  by  her  image  reflected  in  the 
bright  shield  which  he  bore,  he  cut  off  her  head,  and  gave 
it  to  Minerva,  who  fixed  it  in  the  middle  of  her  ^gis. 

Milton  in  his  Comus  thus  alludes  to  the  ^gis :  — 

"  What  was  that  snaky-headed  Gorgon-shield 
That  wise  Minerva  wore,  unconquered  virgin, 
Wherewith  she  freezed  her  foes  to  congealed  stone. 
But  rigid  looks  of  chaste  austerity, 
And  noble  grace  that  dashed  brute  violence 
With  sudden  adoration  and  blank  awe ! " 

Armstrong,  the  poet  of  the  Art  of  Preserving  Health, 
thus  describes  the  effect  of  frost  upon  the  waters :  — 

"  Now  blows  the  surly  North  and  chills  throughout 
The  stiffening  regions,  while  by  stronger  charms 
Than  Circe  e'er  or  fell  Medea  brewed. 
Each  brook  that  wont  to  prattle  to  its  banks 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  163 

Lies  all  bestiUed  and  wedged  betwixt  its  banks, 
Nor  moves  the  withered  reeds.    «    *    * 
The  surges  baited  by  the  fierce  North-east, 
Tossing  with  fretful  spleen  their  angry  heads, 
E'en  in  the  foam  of  all  their  madness  struck 
To  monumental  ice. 

«  «  «  «  « 

Such  execution, 
So  stem,  so  sudden,  wrought  the  grisly  aspect 
Of  terrible  Medusa, 

When  wandering  through  the  woods  she  turned  to  stone 
Their  savage  tenants  ;  just  as  the  foaming  Lion 
Sprang  furious  on  his  prey,  her  speedier  power 
Outran  his  haste. 

And  fixed  in  that  fierce  attitude  he  stands 
Like  Rage  in  marble ! " 

Imitaiions  of  Shakspeare. 


PERSEUS  AND  ATLAS. 

After  the  slaughter  of  Medusa,  Perseus,  beafSng  with 
him  the  head  of  the  Gorgon,  flew  far  and  wide,  over  land 
and  sea.  As  night  came  on,  he  reached  the  western  limit 
of  the  earth,  where  the  sun  goes  down.  Here  he  would 
gladly  have  rested  till  morning.  It  was  the  realm  of  King 
Atlas,  whose  bulk  surpassed  that  of  all  other  men.  He 
was  rich  in  flocks  and  herds  and  had  no  neighbor  or  rival 
to  dispute  his  state.  But  his  chief  pride  was  in  his  gar- 
dens, whose  fruit  was  of  gold,  hanging  from  golden 
branches,  half  hid  with  golden  leaves.  Perseus  said  to 
him,  "  I  come  as  a  guest.  If  you  honor  illustrious  de- 
scent, I  claim  Jupiter  for  my  father ;  if  mighty  deeds,  I 
plead  the  conquest  of  the  Gorgon.  I  seek  rest  and  food." 
But  Atlas  remembered  that  an  ancient  prophecy  had 
warned  him  that  a  son  of  Jove  should  one  day  rob  him 
of  his  golden  apples.      So  he  answered,   "  Begone !   or 


164 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 


neither  your  false  claims  of  glory  or  parentage  shall  pro- 
tect you  ; "  and  he  attempted  to  thrust  him  out.  Perseus, 
finding  the  giant  too  strong  for  him,  said,  "  Since  you 
value  my  friendship  so  little,  deign  to  accept  a  present ; " 
and  turning  his  face  away,  he  held  up  the  Gorgon's  head. 
Atlas,  with  all  his  bulk,  was  changed  into  stone.  IJis 
beard  and  hair  became  forests,  his  arms  and  shoulders 
cliffs,  his  head  a  summit,  and  his  bones  rocks.  Each  part 
increased  in  bulk  till  he  became  a  mountain,  and  (such 
was  the  pleasure  of  the  gods)  heaven  with  all  its  stars 
rests  upon  his  shoulders. 


THE  SEA-MONSTEB. 


I 


Perseus  and  Andromeda. 
Perseus,  continuing  his  flight,  arrived  at  the  country  of 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  165 

the  ^Ethiopians,  of  which  Cepheus  was  king.  Cassiopeia 
his  queen,  proud  of  her  beauty,  had  dared  to  compare  her- 
self to  the  Sea-Nymphs,  which  roused  their  indignation 
to  such  a  degree  that  they  sent  a  prodigious  sea-monster 
to  ravage  the  coast.  To  appease  the  deities,  Cepheus 
was  directed  by  the  oracle  to  expose  his  daughter  An- 
dromeda to  be  devoured  by  the  monster.  As  Perseus 
looked  down  from  his  aerial  height  he  beheld  the  virgin 
chained  to  a  rock,  and  waiting  the  approach  of  the  ser- 
pent. She  was  so  pale  and  motionless  that  if  it  had  not 
been  for  her  flowing  tears  and  her  hair  that  moved  in  the 
breeze,  he  would  have  taken  her  for  a  marble  statue.  He 
was  so  startled  at  the  sight  that  he  almost  forgot  to  wave 
his  wings.  As  he  hovered  over  her  he  said,  "  O  virgin, 
undeserving  of  those  chains,  but  rather  of  such  as  bind 
fond  lovers  together,  tell  me,  I  beseech  you,  your  name, 
and  the  name  of  your  country,  and  why  you  are  thus 
bound."  At  first  she  was  silent  from  modesty,  and,  if 
she  could,  would  have  hid  her  face  with  her  hands  ;  but 
when  he  repeated  his  questions,  for  fear  she  might  be 
thought  guilty  of  some  fault  which  she  dared  not  tell,  she 
disclosed  her  name  and  that  of  her  country,  and  her 
mother's  pride  of  beauty.  Before  she  had  done  speaking, 
a  sound  was  heard  off  upon  the  water,  and  the  sea-mon- 
ster appeared,  with  his  head  raised  above  the  surface, 
cleaving  the  waves  with  his  broad  breast.  The  virgin 
shrieked,  the  father  and  mother  who  had  now  arrived  at 
the  scene,  wretched  both,  but  the  mother  more  justly  so, 
stood  by,  not  able  to  affoi'd  protection,  but  only  to  pour 
forth  lamentations  and  to  embrace  the  victim.  Then 
spoke  Perseus :  "  There  will  be  time  enough  for  tears ; 
this  hour  is  all  we  have  for  rescue.  My  rank  as  the  son 
of  Jove  and  my  renown  as  the  slayer  of  the   Gorgon 


166  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

might  make  me  acceptable  as  a  suitor ;  but  I  will  try  to 
win  her  by  services  rendered,  if  the  gods  will  only  be 
propitious.  If  she  be  rescued  by  my  valor,  I  demand 
that  she  be  my  reward."  The  parents  consent,  (how 
could  they  hesitate  ?)  and  promise  a  royal  dowry  with  her. 
And  now  the  monster  was  within  the  range  of  a  stone 
thrown  by  a  skilful  slinger,  when  with  a  sudden  bound  the 
youth  soared  into  the  air.  As  an  eagle,  when  from  liis 
lofty  flight  he  sees  a  serpent  basking  in  the  sun,  pounces 
upon  him  and  seizes  him  by  the  neck  to  prevent  him  from 
turning  his  head  round  and  using  his  fangs,  so  the  youth 
darted  down  upon  the  back  of  the  monster  and  plunged 
his  sword  into  its  shoulder.  Irritated  by  the  wound  the 
monster  raised  liimself  into  the  aii',  then  plunged  into  the 
depth ;  then,  like  a  wild  boar  surrounded  by  a  pack  of 
barking  dogs,  turned  swiftly  from  side  to  side,  while  the 
youth  eluded  its  attacks  by  means  of  his  wings.  Wher- 
ever he  can  find  a  passage  for  his  sword  between  the 
scales  he  makes  a  wound,  piercing  now  the  side,  now  the 
flank,  as  it  slopes  towards  the  tail.  The  brute  spouts  from 
his  nostrils  water  mixed  with  blood.  The  wings  of  the 
hero  are  wet  with  it,  and  he  dares  no  longer  trust  to  them. 
Alighting  on  a  rock  which  rose  above  the  waves,  and 
holding  on  by  a  projecting  fragment,  as  the  monster  floated 
near  he  gave  him  a  death  stroke.  The  people  w^ho  had 
gathered  on  the  shore  shouted  so  that  the  hills  reechoed 
the  sound.  The  parents,  transported  with  joy,  embraced 
their  future  son-in-law,  calling  him  their  deliverer  and  the 
savior  of  their  house,  and  the  virgin,  both  cause  and  re- 
ward of  the  contest,  descended  from  the  rock. 

Cassiopeia  was  an  Ethiopian,  and  consequently,  in  spite 
of  her  boasted  beauty,  black  ;  at  least  so  Milton  seems  to 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  167 

have  thought,  who  alludes  to  this  story  in  his  Penseroso, 
where  he  addresses  Melancholy  as  the 

" goddess,  sage  and  holy, 

Whose  saintly  visage  is  too  bright 

To  hit  the  sense  of  human  sight, 

And,  therefore,  to  our  weaker  view 

O'erlaid  with  black,  staid  Wisdom's  hue. 

Black,  but  such  as  in  esteem 

Prince  Memnon's  sister  might  beseem, 

Or  that  starred  ^thiop  queen  that  strove 

To  set  her  beauty's  praise  above 

The  sea-nymphs,  and  their  powers  offended." 

Cassiopeia  is  called  "the  starred  ^thiop  queen"  be- 
cause after  her  death  she  was  placed  among  the  stars, 
forming  the  constellation  of  that  name.     Though  she  at- 

Itained  this  honor,  yet  the  Sea-Nymphs,  her  old  enemies, 
prevailed  so  far  as  to  cause  her  to  be  placed  in  that  part 
of  the  heaven  near  the  pole,  where  every  night  she  is 
half  the  time  held  with  her  head  downward,  to  give  her  a 
lesson  of  humility. 
Memnon  was  an  ^Ethiopian  prince,  of  whom  we  shall 
tell  in  a  future  chapter. 
THE  WEDDING  FEAST. 

The  joyful  parents,  with  Perseus  and  Andromeda,  re- 
paired to  the  palace,  where  a  banquet  was  spread  for  them, 
and  all  was  joy  and  festivity.  But  suddenly  a  noise  was 
heard  of  warlike  clamor,  and  Phineus,  the  betrothed  of 
the  virgin,  Avith  a  party  of  his  adherents,  burst  in,  de- 
manding the  maiden  as  his  own.  It  was  in  vain  that 
Cepheus  remonstrated,  —  "You  should  have  claimed  her 
when  she  lay  bound  to  the  i-ock,  the  monster's  victim. 


168  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

The  sentence  of  the  gods  dooming  her  to  such  a  fate  dis- 
solved all  engagements,  as  death  itself  would  have  done." 
Phineus  made  no  reply,  but  hurled  his  javelin  at  Perseus, 
but  it  missed  its  mark  and  fell  harmless.  Perseus 
would  have  thrown  his  in  turn,  but  the  cowardly  assailant 
ran  and  took  shelter  behind  the  altar.  But  his  act  was  a 
signal  for  an  onset  by  his  band  upon  the  guests  of  Ce- 
pheus.  They  defended  themselves  and  a  general  conflict 
ensued,  the  old  king  retreating  from  the  scene  after  fruit- 
less expostulations,  calling  the  gods  to  witness  that  he  was 
guiltless  of  this  outrage  on  the  rights  of  hospitality. 

Perseus  and  his  friends  maintained  for  some  time  the 
unequal  contest ;  but  the  numbers  of  the  assailants  were 
too  great  for  them,  and  destruction  seemed  inevitable, 
when  a  sudden  thought  struck  Perseus,  —  "  I  will  make  my 
enemy  defend  me."  Then  with  a  loud  voice  he  exclaimed, 
"  If  I  have  any  friend  here  let  him  turn  away  his  eyes ! " 
and  held  aloft  the  Gorgon's  head.  "  Seek  not  to  frighten 
us  with  your  jugglery,"  said  Thescelus,  and  raised  his 
javelin  in  act  to  throw,  and  became  stone  in  the  very  atti- 
tude. Ampyx  was  about  to  plunge  his  sword  into  the 
body  of  a  prostrate  foe,  but  his  arm  stiffened  and  he  could 
neither  thrust  forward  nor  withdraw  it.  Another,  in  the 
midst  of  a  vociferous  challenge,  stopped,  his  mouth  open, 
but  no  sound  issuing.  One  of  Perseus's  friends,  Acon- 
teus,  caught  sight  of  the  Gorgon  and  stiffened  like  the 
rest.  Astyages  struck  him  with  his  sword,  but  instead  of 
wounding,  it  recoiled  with  a  ringing  noise. 

Phineus  beheld  this  dreadful  result  of  his  unjust  aggres- 
sion, and  felt  confounded.  He  called  aloud  to  his  friends, 
but  got  no  answer  ;  he  touched  them  and  found  them 
stone.  Falling  on  his  knees  and  stretching  out  his  hands 
to  Perseus,  but  turning  his  head  away,  he  begged  for 


fr 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    IIEKOES.  169 

mercy.  "  Take  all,"  said  he,  "  give  me  but  my  life." 
"  Base  coward,"  said  Perseus,  "  thus  much  I  will  grant 
you  ;  no  weapon  shall  touch  you  ;  moreover  you  shall  be 
preserved  in  my  house  as  a  memorial  of  these  events." 
So  saying,  he  held  the  Gorgon's  head  to  the  side  where 
Phineus  was  looking,  and  in  the  very  form  in  which  he 
knelt,  with  his  hands  outstretched  and  face  averted  he  be- 
came fixed  immovably,  a  mass  of  stone  ! 

The  following   allusion  to  Perseus  is  from  Milman's 
Samor :  — 

"  As  'mid  the  fabled  Libyan  bridal  stood 
Perseus  in  stern  tranquillity  of  wrath, 
Half  stood,  half  floated  on  his  ankle-plumes 
Out-swelling,  while  the  bright  face  on  his  shield 
Looked  into  stone  the  raging  fray  ;  so  rose, 
But  with  no  magic  arms,  wearing  alone 
Th'  appalling  and  control  of  his  firm  look. 
The  Briton  Samor  ;  at  his  rising  awe 
Went  abroad,  and  the  riotous  hall  was  mute." 

15 


170  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

MONSTERS. 

GIANTS,  SPHINX,  PEGASUS   AND    CHIMERA,   CENTAURS, 
GRIFFIN,   AND   PYGMIES. 

Monsters,  in  the  language  of  mythology,  were  beings 
of  unnatural  proportions  or  parts,  usually  regarded  Avith 
terror,  as  possessing  immense  strength  and  ferocity,  which 
they  employed  for  the  injury  and  annoyance  of  men. 
Some  of  them  were  supposed  to  combine  the  members  of 
different  animals ;  such  were  the  Sphinx  and  Chimagra ; 
and  to  these  all  the  terrible  qualities  of  wild  beasts  were 
attributed,  together  with  human  sagacity  and  faculties. 
Others,  as  the  giants,  differed  from  men  chiefly  in  their 
size ;  and  in  this  particular  we  must  recognize  a  wide  dis- 
tinction among  them.  The  human  giants,  if  so  they  may 
be  called,  such  as  the  Cyclopes,  Antieus,  Orion  and  others, 
must  be  supposed  not  to  be  altogether  disproportioned  to 
human  beings,  for  they  mingled  in  love  and  strife  with 
them.  But  the  superhuman  giants,  who  warred  with  the 
gods,  were  of  vastly  larger  dimensions.  Tityus,  we  are 
told,  when  stretched  on  the  plain,  covered  nine  acres,  and 
Enceladus  required  the  whole  of  Mount  -^tna  to  be  laid 
upon  him  to  keep  him  down. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  war  which  the  giants 
waged  against  the  gods,  and  of  its  result.  While  this  war 
lasted  the  giants  proved  a  formidable  enemy.  Some  of 
them,  like  Briareus,  had  a  hundred  arms ;  others,  like  Ty- 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  171 

plion,  breathed  out  fire.  At  one  time  they  put  the  gods 
to  such  fear  that  they  tied  into  Egypt,  and  hid  themselves 
under  vai'ious  forms.  Jupiter  took  the  form  of  a  ram, 
whence  he  was  afterwards  worshipped  in  Egypt  as  the 
god  Amnion,  with  curved  horns.  Apollo  became  a  crow, 
Bacchus  a  goat,  Diana  a  cat,  Juno  a  cow,  Venus  a  fish, 
Mercuiy  a  bird.  At  another  time  the  giants  attempted  to 
climb  up  into  heaven,  and  for  that  purpose  took  up  the 
mountain  Ossa  and  piled  it  on  Pelion.*  They  were  at 
last  subdued  by  thunderbolts,  which  Minerva  invented,  and 
taught  Vulcan  and  his  Cyclopes  to  make  for  Jupiter. 


THE   SPHINX. 

Laius,  king  of  Thebes,  was  warned  by  an  oracle  that 
there  was  danger  to  his  throne  and  life  if  his  new-bom 
son  should  be  suflTered  to  grow  up.  He  therefore  com- 
mitted the  child  to  the  care  of  a  herdsman,  with  orders  to 
destroy  him ;  but  the  herdsman,  moved  with  pity,  yet  not 
daring  entirely  to  disobey,  tied  up  the  child  by  the  feet, 
and  left  him  hanging  to  the  branch  of  a  tree.  In  this 
condition  the  infant  was  found  by  a  peasant,  who  carried 
him  to  his  master  and  mistress,  by  whom  he  was  adopted 
and  called  Qidipus,  or  Swollen-foot. 

Many  years  afterwards  Laius  being  on  his  way  to  Del- 
phi, accompanied  only  by  one  attendant,  met  in  a  narrow 
road  a  young  man  also  driving  in  a  chariot.  On  his  re- 
fusal to  leave  the  way  at  their  command,  the  attendant 
killed  one  of  his  horses,  and  the  stranger,  filled  with  rage, 
slew  both  Laius  and  his  attendant.  The  young  man  was 
CEdipus,  who  thus  unknowingly  became  the  slayer  of  his 
own  father. 

•  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  477. 


172  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Shortly  after  this  event,  the  city  of  Thebes  was  afflicted 
with  a  monster  which  infested  the  high-road.  It  was 
called  the  Sphinx.  It  had  the  body  of  a  lion,  and  the 
upper  part  of  a  woman.  It  lay  crouched  on  the  top  of  a 
rock,  and  arrested  all  travellers  who  came  that  way,  pro- 
posing to  them  a  riddle,  with  the  condition  that  those  who 
could  solve  it  should  pass  safe,  but  those  who  failed  should 
be  killed.  Not  one  had  yet  succeeded  in  solving  it,  and 
all  had  been  slain.  CEdipus  was  not  daunted  by  these 
alarming  accounts,  but  boldly  advanced  to  the  trial.  The 
Sphinx  asked  him,  "What  animal  is  that  which  in  the 
morning  goes  on  four  feet,  at  noon  on  two,  and  in  the  even- 
ing upon  three  ?  "  CEdipus  replied,  "  Man,  who  in  child- 
hood creeps  on  hands  and  knees,  in  manhood  walks  erect, 
and  in  old  age  with  the  aid  of  a  staff."  The  Sphinx  was 
so  mortified  at  the  solving  of  her  riddle  that  she  cast  her- 
self down  from  the  rock  and  perished. 

The  gratitude  of  the  people  for  their  deliverance  was 
so  great  that  they  made  CEdipus  their  king,  giving  him  in 
marriage  their  queen  Jocasta.  CEdipus,  ignorant  of  his 
parentage,  had  already  become  the  slayer  of  his  father ; 
in  marrying  the  queen  he  became  the  husband  of  his 
mother.  These  horrors  remained  undiscovered,  till  at 
length  Thebes  was  afflicted  with  famine  and  pestilence, 
and  the  oracle  being  consulted,  the  double  crime  of  CEdi- 
pus came  to  light.  Jocasta  put  an  end  to  her  own  life, 
and  CEdipus,  seized  with  madness,  tore  out  his  eyes,  and 
wandered  away  from  Thebes,  dreaded  and  abandoned  by 
all,  except  his  daughters,  who  faithfully  adhered  to  him ; 
till  after  a  tedious  period  of  miserable  wandering,  he  found 
the  termination  of  his  wretched  life. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  173 


PEGASUS   AND   THE   CHIMiERA. 

When  Perseus  cut  off  Medusa's  head,  the  blood  sinking 
into  the  earth  produced  the  winged  horse  Pegasus.  Mi- 
nerva caught  and  tamed  him,  and  presented  him  to  the 
Muses.  The  fountain  Hippocrene,  on  the  Muses'  moun- 
tain Helicon,  was  opened  by  a  kick  from  his  hoof. 

The  Chimaera  was  a  fearful  monster,  breathing  fire. 
The  fore  part  of  its  body  was  a  compound  of  the  lion  and 
the  goat,  and  the  hind  part  a  dragon's.  It  made  great 
havoc  in  Lycia,  so  that  the  king  lobates  sought  for  some 
hero  to  destroy  it.  At  that  time  there  arrived  at  his 
court  a  gallant  young  warrior,  whose  name  was  Bellero- 
phon.  He  brought  letters  from  Proetus,  the  son-in-law  of 
lobates,  recommending  Bellerophon  in  the  warmest  terms 
as  an  unconquerable  hero,  but  added  at  the  close  a  request 
to  his  father-in-law  to  put  him  to  death.  The  reason  was 
that  Proetus  was  jealous  of  him,  suspecting  that  his  wife 
Antea  looked  with  too  much  admiration  on  the  young 
warrior.  From  this  instance  of  Bellerophon  being  uncon- 
sciously the  bearer  of  his  own  death-waiTant,  the  expres- 
sion "  Bellerophontic  letters  "  arose,  to  describe  any  species 
of  communication  which  a  person  is  made  the  bearer  of, 
containing  matter  prejudicial  to  himself. 

lobates,  on  perusing  the  letters,  was  puzzled  what  to  do, 
not  willing  to  violate  the  claims  of  hospitality,  yet  wishing 
to  oblige  his  son-in-law.  A  lucky  thought  occurred  to 
him,  to  send  Bellerophon  to  combat  with  the  Chimaera. 
Bellerophon  accepted  the  proposal,  but  before  proceeding 
to  the  combat  consulted  the  soothsayer  Polyidus,  who 
advised  him  to  procure  if  possible  the  horse  Pegasus  for 
the  conflict.  For  this  purpose  he  directed  him  to  pass  the 
15* 


174  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

night  in  the  temple  of  Minerva.  He  did  so,  and  as  he 
slept  Minerva  came  to  him  and  gave  him  a  golden  bridle. 
When  he  awoke  the  bridle  remained  in  his  hand.  Mi- 
nerva also  showed  him  Pegasus  drinking  at  the  well  of 
Pirene,  and  at  sight  of  the  bridle,  the  winged  steed  came 
willingly  and  suffered  himself  to  be  taken.  Bellerophon 
mounted  him,  rose  with  him  into  the  air,  soon  found 
the  Chimaera,  and  gained  an  easy  victory  over  the  mon- 
ster. 

After  the  conquest  of  the  Chimoera,  Bellerophon  was 
exposed  to  further  trials  and  labors  by  his  unfriendly  host, 
but  by  the  aid  of  Pegasus  he  triumphed  in  them  all ;  till 
at  length  lobates,  seeing  that  the  hero  was  a  special  favor- 
ite of  the  gods,  gave  him  his  daughter  in  marriage  and 
made  him.  his  successor  on  the  throne.  At  last  Bellero- 
phon by  his  pride  and  presumption  drew  upon  himself 
the  anger  of  the  gods  ;  it  is  said  he  even  attempted  to  fly 
up  into  heaven  on  his  winged  steed ;  but  Jupiter  sent  a 
gadfly  which  stung  Pegasus  and  made  him  throw  his 
rider,  who  became  lame  and  blind  in  consequence.  After 
this  Bellerophon  wandered  lonely  through  the  Aleian  field, 
avoiding  the  paths  of  men,  and  died  miserably. 

Milton  alludes  to  Bellerophon  in  the  beginning  of  the 
seventh  book  of  Paradise  Lost :  — 

"  Descend  from  Heaven,  Urania,  by  that  name 
If  rightly  thou  art  called,  whose  voice  divine 
Following  above  the  Olympian  hill  I  soar, 
Above  the  flight  of  Pegasean  wing. 

Upled  by  thee, 
Into  the  Heaven  of  Heavens  I  have  presumed. 
An  earthly  guest,  and  drawn  empj-real  air, 
(Thy  tempering ;)  with  like  safety  guided  do^vn 
Return  me  to  my  native  element ; 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  175 

Lest  from  this  flying  steed  unreined,  (as  once 
Bellerophon,  though  from  a  lower  sphere,) 
Dismounted  on  the  Aleian  field  I  fall, 
Erroneous  there  to  wander  and  forlorn." 

Young  in  his  Night  Thoughts,  speaking  of  the  sceptic, 

Bays,  — 

"  Ho  whose  blind  thought  futurity  denies. 
Unconscious  bears,  Bellerophon,  like  thee 
His  own  indictment ;  he  condemns  himself. 
Who  reads  his  bosom  reads  immortal  life, 
Or  nature  there,  imposing  on  her  sons. 
Has  written  fables  ;  man  was  made  a  lie." 

Vol.  II.  p.  12. 

Pegasus,  being  the  horse  of  the  Muses,  has  always  been 
at  the  service  of  the  poets.  Schiller  tells  a  pretty  story 
of  his  having  been  sold  by  a  needy  poet,  and  put  to  the 
cart  and  the  plough.  He  was  not  fit  for  such  service,  and 
his  clownish  master  could  make  nothing  of  him.  But  a 
youth  stepped  forth  and  asked  leave  to  try  him.  As  soon 
as  he  was  seated  on  his  back,  the  horse,  which  had  ap- 
peared at  first  vicious,  and  afterwards  spirit-broken,  rose 
kingly,  a  spirit,  a  god ;  unfolded  the  splendor  of  his  wings 
and  soared  towards  heaven.  Our  own  poet  Longfellow 
also  records  an  adventure  of  this  famous  steed  in  his  Peg- 
asus in  Pound. 

Shakspeare  alludes  to  Pegasus  in  Henry  IV.  where 
Vernon  describes  Prince  Henry :  — 

"  I  saw  young  Harry,  with  his  beaver  on, 
His  cuishes  on  his  thighs,  gallantly  armed, 
Rise  from  the  ground  like  feathered  Mercury, 
And  vaulted  with  such  ease  into  his  seat. 
As  if  an  angel  dropped  down  from  the  clouds, 
To  turn  and  wind  a  fiery  Pegasus, 
And  witch  the  world  with  noble  horsemanship." 


m 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


Chiron. 


THE  CENTAURS. 


These  monsters  were  represented  as  men  from  the  head 
to  the  loins  while  the  remainder  of  the  body  was  that  of 
a  horse.  The  ancients  were  too  fond  of  a  horse  to  con- 
sider the  union  of  his  nature  with  man's  as  forming  a  very 
degraded  compound,  and  accordingly  the  Centaur  is  the 
only  one  of  the  fancied  monsters  of  antiquity  to  which 
any  good  traits  are  assigned.  The  Centaurs  were  admit- 
ted to  the  companionship  of  man,  and  at  the  marriage  of 
Pirithous  with  Hippodamia,  they  were  among  the  guests. 
At  the  feast,  Eurytion,  one  of  the  Centaurs,  becoming 
intoxicated  with  the  wine,  attempted  to  offer  violence  to 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  177 

the  bride ;  the  other  Centaurs  followed  his  example,  and 
a  dreadful  conflict  arose  in  which  several  of  them  were 
slain.  This  is  the  celebrated  battle  of  the  Lapithae  and 
Centaurs,  a  favorite  subject  with  the  sculptors  and  poets 
of  antiquity. 

But  not  all  the  Centaurs  were  like  the  rude  guests  of 
Pirithous.  Chiron  was  instructed  by  Apollo  and  Diana, 
and  was  renowned  for  his  skill  in  hunting,  medicine,  mu- 
sic, and  the  art  of  prophecy.  The  most  distinguished 
heroes  of  Grecian  story  were  his  pupils.  Among  the  rest 
the  infant  -^sculapius  was  intrusted  to  his  charge,  by 
Apollo,  his  father.  When  the  sage  returned  to  his  home 
bearing  the  infant,  his  daughter  Ocyroe  came  forth  to  meet 
him,  and  at  sight  of  the  child  burst  forth  into  a  prophetic 
strain,  (for  she  was  a  prophetess,)  foretelling  the  glory  that 
he  was  to  achieve,  ^sculapius  when  grown  up  became  a 
renowned  physician,  and  even  in  one  instance  succeeded 
in  restoring  the  dead  to  life.  Pluto  resented  this,  and 
Jupiter,  at  his  request,  struck  the  bold  physician  with 
lightning,  and  killed  him,  but  after  his  death  received  him 
into  the  number  of  the  gods. 

Chiron  was  the  wisest  and  justest  of  all  the  Centaurs, 
and  at  his  death  Jupiter  placed  him  among  the  stars  as 
the  constellation  Sagittarius. 


THE   PYGMIES. 

The  Pygmies  were  a  nation  of  dwarfs,  so  called  from  a 
Greek  word  which  means  the  cubit  or  measure  of  about 
thirteen  inches,  which  was  said  to  be  the  height  of  these 
people.  They  lived  near  the  sources  of  the  Nile,  or  ac- 
cording to  others,  in  India.     Homer  tells  us  that  the  cranes 


I 


178  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

used  to  migrate  every  winter  to  the  Pygmies'  country,  and 
their  appearance  was  the  signal  of  bloody  warfare  to  the 
puny  inhabitants,  who  had  to  take  up  arms  to  defend  their 
cornfields  against  the  rapacious  strangers.  The  Pygmies 
and  their  enemies  the  Cranes  form  the  subject  of  several 
works  of  art. 

Later  writers  tell  of  an  army  of  Pygmies  which  finding 
Hercules  asleep  made  preparations  to  attack  him,  as  if 
they  were  about  to  attack  a  city.  But  the  hero  awaking 
laughed  at  the  little  warriors,  wrapped  some  of  them  up 
in  his  iion's-skin,  and  carried  them  to  Eurystheus. 

Milton  uses  the  Pygmies  for  a  simile,  P.  L.  Book  I. :  — 


■  like  that  Pygmaean  race 


Beyond  the  Indian  mount,  or  fairy  elves 

Whose  midnight  revels  by  a  forest  side, 

Or  fountain,  some  belated  peasant  sees, 

(Or  dreams  he  sees,)  while  overhead  the  moon 

Sits  arbitress,  and  nearer  to  the  earth 

Wheels  her  pale  course  ;  they  on  their  mirth  and  danco 

Intent,  with  jocund  music  charm  his  ear. 

At  once  with  joy  and  fear  his  heart  rebounds." 


THE  GRIFFIN,  OR   GRYPHON. 

The  Griffin  is  a  monster  with  the  body  of  a  lion,  the 
head  and  Avings  of  an  eagle,  and  back  covered  with  feath- 
ers. Like  birds  it  builds  its  nest,  and  instead  of  an  egg 
lays  an  agate  therein.  It  has  long  claws  and  talons  of 
such  a  size  that  the  people  of  that  country  make  them  into 
drinking-cups.  India  was  assigned  as  the  native  country 
of  the  Griffins.  They  found  gold  in  the  mountains  and 
built  their  nests  of  it,  for  which  reason  their  nests  were 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  179 

very  tempting  to  the  hunters  and  they  were  forced  to  keep 
vigilant  guard  over  them.  Their  instinct  led  them  to  know 
where  buried  treasures  lay,  and  they  did  their  best  to  keep 
plunderers  at  a  distance.  The  Ai'imaspians,  among  whom 
the  Grifiins  flourished,  were  a  one-eyed  people  of  Scythia. 

Milton   borrows   a   simile   from    the    Griffins,   P.   L. 
Book   11.:  — 

"As  when  a  Grj'phon  through  the  wilderness, 
"With  mnged  course,  o'er  hill  and  moory  dale, 
Pursues  the  Arimaspian  who  by  stealth 
Hath  from  his  wakeful  custody  purloined 
His  guarded  gold,"  &c. 


180  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 


Medea  and  Jason. 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

THE  GOLDEN  FLEECE  —  MEDEA. 


THE   GOLDEN  FLEECE. 

In  very  ancient  times  there  lived  in  Thessaly  a  king 
and  queen  named  Athamas  and  Nephele.  They  had  two 
children,  a  boy  and  a  girl.  '  After  a  time  Athamas  grew 
indifferent  to  his  wife,  put  her  away,  and  took  another. 
Nephele  suspected  danger  to  her  children  from  the  influ- 
ence of  the  step-mother,  and  took  measures  to  send  them 
out  of  her  reach.    Mercury  assisted  her,  and  gave  her  a 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  181 

ram,  with  a  golden  jleece,  on  which  she  set  the  two  chil- 
dren, trusting  that  the  ram  would  convey  them  to  a  place 
of  safety.  The  ram  vaulted  into  the  air  with  the  children 
on  his  back,  taking  his  course  to  the  East,  till  when  cross- 
ing the  strait  that  divides  Europe  and  Asia,  the  girl, 
whose  name  was  Helle,  fell  from  his  back  into  the  sea, 
which  from  her  was  called  the  Hellespont,  —  now  the 
Dardanelles.  The  ram  continued  his  career  till  he 
reached  the  kingdom  of  Colchis,  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  Black  Sea,  where  ho  safely  landed  the  boy  Phryx- 
us,  who  was  hospitably  received  by  -ZEetes,  the  king  of  the 
country.  Phryxus  sacrificed  the  ram  to  Jupiter,  and 
gave  the  golden  Jleece  to  ^etes,  who  placed  it  in  a  conse- 
crated grove,  under  the  care  of  a  sleepless  dragon. 

There  was  another  kingdom  in  Thessaly  near  to  that  of 
Athamas,  and  ruled  over  by  a  relative  of  his.  The  king 
jiEson,  being  tired  of  the  cares  of  government,  surren- 
dered his  crown  to  his  brother  Pelias,  on  condition  that 
he  should  hold  it  only  during  the  minority  of  Jason,  the 
son  of  JEson.  When  Jason  was  grown  up  and  came  to 
demand  the  crown  from  his  uncle,  Pelias  pretended  to  be 
willing  to  yield  it,  but  at  the  same  time  suggested  to  the 
young  man  the  glorious  adventure  of  going  in  quest  of 
the  golden  fleece,  which  it  was  well  known  was  in  the 
kingdom  of  Colchis,  and  was,  as  Pelias  pretended,  the 
rightful  property  of  their  family.  Jason  was  pleased  with 
the  thought,  and  forthwith  made  preparations  for  the  expe- 
dition. At  that  time  the  only  species  of  navigation  known 
to  the  Greeks  consisted  of  small  boats  or  canoes  hollowed 
out  from  trunks  of  trees,  so  that  when  Jason  employed 
Argus  to  build  him  a  vessel  capable  of  containing  fifty 
men,  it  was  considered  a  gigantic  undertaking.  It  was 
accomplished,  however,  and  the  vessel  named  Argo,  from 
16 


iS2  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

the  name  of  the  builder.  Jason  sent  his  invitation  to  all 
the  adventurous  young  men  of  Greece,  and  soon  found 
himself  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  bold  youths,  many  of 
whom  afterwards  were  renowned  among  the  heroes  and 
demigods  of  Greece.  Hercules,  Theseus,  Orpheus,  and 
Nestor  were  among  them.  They  are  called  the  Argo- 
nauts, from  the  name  of  their  vessel. 

The  Argo  with  her  crew  of  heroes  left  the  shores  of 
Thessaly  and  having  touched  at  the  Island  of  Lemnos, 
thence  crossed  to  Mysia  and  thence  to  Thrace.  Here 
they  found  the  sage  Phineus,  and  from  him  received  in- 
struction as  to  their  future  course.  It  seems  the  entrance 
of  the  Euxine  Sea  was  impeded  by  two  small  rocky 
islands,  which  floated  on  the  surface,  and  in  their  tossings 
and  heavings  occasionally  came  togethei',  crushing  and 
grinding  to  atoms  any  object  that  might  be  caught  be- 
tween them.  They  Avere  called  the  Symplegades,  or 
Clashing  Islands.  Phineus  instructed  the  Argonauts 
how  to  pass  this  dangerous  strait.  When  they  reached 
the  islands  they  let  go  a  dove,  which  took  her  way  be- 
tween the  rocks,  and  passed  in  safety,  only  losing  some 
feathers  of  her  tail.  Jason  and  his  men  seized  the  fa- 
vorable moment  of  the  rebound,  plied  their  oars  with 
vigor,  and  passed  safe  through,  though  the  islands  closed 
behind  them,  and  actually  grazed  their  stern.  They  now 
rowed  along  the  shore  till  they  arrived  at  the  eastern  end 
of  the  sea,  and  landed  at  the  kingdom  of  Colchis. 

Jason  made  known  his  message  to  the  Colchian  king, 
.^etes,  who  consented  to  give  up  the  golden  fleece  if 
Jason  would  yoke  to  the  plough  two  fii'e-breathing  bulls 
with  brazen  feet,  and  sow  the  teeth  of  the  dragon,  which 
Cadmus  had  slain,  and  from  which  it  was  well  known  that 
a  crop  of  armed  men  would  spring  up,  who  would  turn 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  183 

their  weapons  against  their  producer.  Jason  accepted 
the  conditions,  and  a  time  was  set  for  making  the  experi- 
ment. Previously,  however,  he  found  means  to  plead  his 
cause  to  Medea,  daughter  of  the  king.  lie  promised  her 
marriage,  and  as  they  stood  before  the  altar  of  Hecate, 
called  the  goddess  to  witness  his  oath.  Medea  yielded  — 
and  by  her  aid,  for  she  was  a  potent  sorceress,  he  was  fur- 
nished with  a  charm,  by  which  he  could  encounter  safely 
the  breath  of  the  fire-breathing  bulls  and  the  weapons  of 
the  armed  men. 

At  the  time  appointed,  the  people  assembled  at  the 
grove  of  Mars,  and  the  king  assumed  his  royal  seat,  while 
the  multitude  covered  the  hill  sides.  The  brazen-footed 
bulls  rushed  in,  breathing  fire  from  their  nostrils,  that 
burned  up  the  herbage  as  they  passed.  The  sound  was 
like  the  roar  of  a  furnace,  and  the  smoke  like  that  of 
water  upon  quick -lime.  Jason  advanced  boldly  to  meet 
them.  His  friends,  the  chosen  heroes  of  Greece,  trembled 
to  behold  him.  Regardless  of  the  burning  breath,  he 
soothed  their  rage  with  his  voice,  patted  their  necks  with 
fearless  hand,  and  adroitly  slipped  over  them  the  yoke, 
and  compelled  them  to  drag  the  plough.  The  Colchians 
were  amazed ;  the  Greeks  shouted  for  joy.  Jason  next 
proceeded  to  sow  the  dragon's  teeth  and  plough  them  in. 
And  soon  the  crop  of  armed  men  sprang  up,  and  wonder- 
ful to  relate  !  no  sooner  had  they  reached  the  surface  than 
they  began  to  brandish  their  weapons  and  rush  upon  Ja- 
son. The  Greeks  trembled  for  their  hero,  and  even  she 
who  had  provided  him  a  way  of  safety  and  taught  him 
how  to  use  it,  Medea  herself,  grew  pale  with  fear.  Jason 
for  a  time  kept  his  assailants  at  bay  with  his  sword  and 
shield,  till  finding  their  numbers  overwhelming,  he  resorted 
to  the  charm  which  Medea  had  taught  him,  seized  a  stone 


184  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    IIEUOES. 

and  threw  it  in  the  midst  of  his  foes.  They  immediately 
turned  their  arras  against  one  another,  and  soon  there  was 
not  one  of  the  dragon's  brood  left  alive.  The  Greeks 
embraced  their  hei-o,  and  Medea,  if  she  dared,  would  have 
embraced  him,  toft. 

It  remained  to  lull  to  sleep  the  dragon  that  guarded  the 
fleece,  and  this  was  done  by  scattering  over  him  a  few 
drops  of  a  preparation,  which  Medea  had  supplied.  At 
the  smell  he  relaxed  his  rage,  stood  for  a  moment  motion- 
less, then  shut  those  great  round  eyes,  that  had  never  been 
known  to  shut  before,  and  turned  over  on  his  side,  fast 
asleep.  Jason  seized  the  fleece,  and  with  his  friends  and 
Medea  accompanying,  hastened  to  their  vessel,  before 
JEetes,  the  king,  could  arrest  their  departure,  and  made 
the  best  of  their  way  back  to  Thessaly,  where  they  arrived 
safe,  and  Jason  delivered  the  fleece  to  Pelias,  and  dedi- 
cated the  Argo  to  Neptune.  AVhat  became  of  the  fleece 
afterwards  we  do  not  know,  but  perhaps  it  was  found  after 
all,  like  many  other  golden  prizes,  not  worth  the  trouble  it 
had  cost  to  procure  it. 

This  is  one  of  those  mythological  tales,  says  a  late 
writer,  in  which  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  a  substra- 
tum of  truth  exists,  though  overlaid  by  a  mass  of  fiction. 
It  probably  was  the  first  important  maritime  expedition, 
and  like  the  first  attempts  of  the  kind  of  all  nations,  as 
we  know  from  history,  was  probably  of  a  half-piratical 
character.  If  rich  spoils  were  the  result,  it  was  enough 
to  give  rise  to  the  idea  of  the  golden  fleece. 

Another  suggestion  of  a  learned  mythologist,  Bryant,  is 
that  it  is  a  corrupt  tradition  of  the  story  of  Noah  and  the 
ark.  The  name  Argo  seems  to  countenance  this,  and  the 
incident  of  the  dove  is  another  confirmation. 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  185 

Pope,  in  his  Ode  on  St.  Cecilia's  day,  thus  celebrates  the 
launching  of  the  ship  Argo,  and  the  power  of  the  music 
of  Orpheus,  whom  he  calls  the  Thracian :  — 

"  So  when  the  first  bold  vessel  dared  the  seas, 

High  on  the  stern  the  Thracian  raised  his  strain, 

While  Argo  saw  her  kindred  trees 
Descend  from  Pelion  to  the  main. 

Transported  demigods  stood  round, 

And  men  grow  heroes  at  the  sound." 

In  Dyer's  poem  of  The  Fleece  there  is  an  account  of 
the  ship  Argo  and  her  crew,  which  gives  a  good  picture 
of  this  primitive  maritime  adventure :  — 

"  From  every  region  of  JEgea.'s  shore 
The  brave  assembled  ;  those  illustrious  twins 
Castor  and  Pollux ;  Orpheus,  tuneful  bard ; 
Zetes  and  Calais,  as  the  wind  in  speed  ; 
Strong  Hercules  and  many  a  chief  renowned. 
On  deep  lolcos'  sandy  shore  they  thronged, 
Gleaming  in  armor,  ardent  of  exploits; 
And  soon,  the  laurel  cord  and  the  huge  stone 
Uplifting  to  the  deck,  unmoored  the  bark  ; 
Whose  keel  of  wondrous  length  the  skilful  hand 
Of  Argus  fashioned  for  the  proud  attempt; 
And  in  the  extended  keel  a  lofty  mast 
Upraised,  and  sails  full  swelling  ;  to  the  chiefs 
Unwonted  objects.    Now  first,  now  they  learned 
Their  bolder  steerage  over  ocean  wave, 
Led  by  the  golden  stars,  as  Chiron's  art 
Had  marked  the  sphere  celestial,"  &c. 

Hercules  left  the  expedition  at  Mysia,  for  Hylas,  a  youth 
beloved  by  him,  having  gone  for  water,  was  laid  hold  of 
and  kept  by  the  nymphs  of  the  spring,  who  were  fasci- 
nated by  his  beauty.  Hercules  went  in  quest  of  the  lad, 
and  while  he  was  absent  the  Argo  put  to  sea  and  left  him. 
Moore,  in  one  of  his  songs,  makes  a  beautiful  allusion  to 
this  incident :  — 

16* 


186  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

"  When  Hylas  was  sent  with  his  urn  to  the  fount, 

Through  fields  full  of  light  and  with  heart  full  of  play, 
Light  rambled  the  boy  over  meadow  and  mount, 
And  neglected  his  task  for  the  flowers  in  the  way. 

"  Thus  many  like  me,  who  in  youth  should  have  tasted 
The  fountain  that  runs  by  Philosophy's  shrine. 
Their  time  with  the  flowers  on  the  margin  have  wasted, 
And  left  their  light  urns  all  as  empty  as  mine." 


MEDEA,  AND  ^SON. 

Amid  the  rejoicings  for  the  recovery  of  the  Golden 
Fleece,  Jason  felt  that  one  thing  was  wanting,  the  pres- 
ence of  -^son,  his  father,  who  was  prevented  by  his  age 
and  infirmities  from  taking  part  in  them.  Jason  said  to 
Medea,  "  My  spouse,  would  that  your  arts,  whose  power  I 
have  seen  so  mighty  for  my  aid,  could  do  me  one  further 
service,  take  some  years  fi'om  ray  life  and  add  them  to  my 
father's."  Medea  replied,  "  Not  at  such  a  cost  shall  it  be 
done,  but  if  my  art  avails  me,  his  life  shall  be  lengthened 
without  abridging  yours."  The  next  full  moon  she  issued 
forth  alone,  while  all  creatures  slept ;  not  a  breath  stirred 
the  foliage,  and  all  was  still.  To  the  stars  she  addressed 
her  incantations,  and  to  the  moon ;  to  Hecate,*  the  god- 
dess of  the  underworld,  afid  to  Tellus  the  goddess  of  the 
earth,  by  whose  power  plants  potent  for  enchantments  are 
produced.     She  invoked  the  gods  of  the  woods  and  cav- 


*  Hecate  was  a  mysterious  divinity  sometimes  identified  with  Diana 
and  sometimes  with  Proserpine.  As  Diana  represents  the  moonlight 
splendor  of  night,  so  Hecate  represents  its  darkness  and  terrors.  She 
was  the  goddess  of  sorcery  and  witchcraft,  and  was  believed  to  wander 
by  night  along  the  earth,  seen  only  by  the  dogs,  whose  barking  told 
her  approach. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  187 

ems,  of  mountains  and  valleys,  of  lakes  and  rivers,  of 
vrinds  and  vapors.  While  she  spoke  the  stars  shone 
brighter,  and  presently  a  chariot  descended  through  the 
air,  drawn  by  flying  serpents.  She  ascended  it,  and  borne 
aloft  made  her  way  to  distant  regions,  where  potent  plants 
grew  which  she  knew  how  to  select  for  her  purpose. 
Nine  nights  she  employed  in  her  search,  and  during  that 
time  came  not  within  the  doors  of  her  palace  nor  under 
any  roof,  and  shunned  all  intercourse  with  mortals. 

She  next  erected  two  altars,  the  one  to  Hecate,  the 
other  to  Hebe,  the  goddess  of  youth,  and  sacrificed  a  black 
sheep,  pouring  libations  of  milk  and  wine.  She  implored 
Pluto  and  his  stolen  bride  that  they  would  not  hasten  to 
take  the  old  man's  life.  Then  she  directed  that  -32  son 
should  be  led  forth,  and  having  thrown  him  into  a  deep 
sleep  by  a  charm,  had  him  laid  on  a  bed  of  herbs,  like  one 
dead.  Jason  and  all  others  were  kept  away  from  the 
place,  that  no  profane  eyes  might  look  upon  her  mysteries. 
Then  with  streaming  hair,  she  thrice  moved  round  the 
altars,  dipped  flaming  twigs  in  the  blood,  and  laid  them 
thereon  to  burn.  Meanwhile  the  caldron  with  its  con- 
tents was  got  ready.  In  it  she  put  magic  herbs,  with 
seeds  and  flowers  of  acrid  juice,  stones  from  the  distant 
east,  and  sand  from  the  shore  of  all-surrounding  ocean ; 
hoar  frost,  gathered  by  moonlight,  a  screech  owl's  head 
and  wings,  and  the  entrails  of  a  wolf.  She  added  frag- 
ments of  the  shells  of  tortoises,  and  the  liver  of  stags,  — 
animals  tenacious  of  life,  —  and  the  head  and  beak  of  a 
crow,  that  outlives  nine  generations  of  men.  These  with 
many  other  things  "  without  a  name  "  she  boiled  together 
for  her  purposed  woi'k,  stii-ring  them  up  with  a  dry  olive 
branch ;  and  behold !  the  branch  when  taken  out  instantly 
became  green,  and  before  long  was  covered  with  leaves 


188  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

and  a  plentiful  growth  of  young  olives ;  and  as  the  liquor 
boiled  and  bubbled,  and  sometimes  ran  over,  the  grass 
wherever  the  sprinklings  fell  shot  forth  with  a  verdure  like 
that  of  spring. 

Seeing  that  all  was  ready,  Medea  cut  the  throat  of  the 
old  man  and  let  out  all  his  blood,  and  poured  into  his 
mouth  and  into  his  wound  the  juices  of  her  caldron.  As 
soon  as  he  had  completely  imbibed  them,  his  hair  and 
beard  laid  by  their  whiteness  and  assumed  the  blackness 
of  youth ;  his  paleness  and  emaciation  were  gone ;  his 
veins  were  full  of  blood,  his  limbs  of  vigor  and  robustness, 
.^son  is  amazed  at  himself,  and  remembers  that  such  as 
he  now  is,  he  was  in  his  youthful  days,  forty  years  before. 

Medea  used  her  arts  here  for  a  good  purpose,  but  not 
so  in  another  instance  where  she  made  them  the  instru- 
ments of  revenge.  Pelias,  our  readers  will  recollect,  was 
the  usurping  uncle  of  Jason,  and  had  kept  him  out  of  his 
kingdom.  Yet  he  must  have  had  some  good  qualities,  for 
his  daughters  loved  him,  and  when  they  saw  what  Medea 
had  done  for  -^son,  they  wished  her  to  do  the  same  for 
their  father.  Medea  pretended  to  consent,  and  prepared 
her  caldron  as  before.  At  her  request  an  old  sheep  was 
brought  and  plunged  into  the  caldron.  Very  soon  a 
bleating  was  heard  in  the  kettle,  and  when  the  cover  was 
removed,  a  lamb  jumped  forth  and  ran  frisking  away  into 
the  meadow.  The  daughters  of  Pelias  saw  the  experi- 
ment with  delight,  and  appointed  a  time  for  their  father  to 
undergo  the  same  operation.  But  Medea  prepared  her 
caldron  for  him  in  a  very  different  way.  She  put  in  only 
water  and  a  few  simple  herbs.  In  the  night  she  with  the 
sisters  entered  the  bed  chamber  of  the  old  king,  while  he 
and  his  guards  slept  soundly  under  the  influence  of  a  spell 
cast  upon  them  by  Medea.     The  daughters  stood  by  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  189 

bedside  with  their  weapons  drawn,  but  hesitated  to  strike, 
till  Medea  chid  their  irresolution.  Then,  turning  away 
their  faces,  and  giving  random  blows,  they  smote  him  with 
their  weapons.  He  starting  from  his  sleep  cried  out,  "  My 
daughters,  what  are  you  doing  ?  Will  you  kill  your  fa- 
ther ?  "  Their  hearts  failed  them  and  the  weapons  fell 
from  their  hands,  but  Medea  struck  him  a  fatal  blow,  and 
prevented  his  saying  more. 

Then  they  placed  him  in  the  caldron,  and  Medea  has- 
tened to  depart  in  her  serpent-drawn  chariot  before  they 
discovered  her  treachery,  or  their  vengeance  would  have 
been  terrible.  She  escaped,  however,  but  had  little  enjoy- 
ment of  the  fruits  of  her  crime.  Jason,  for  whom  she  had 
done  so  much,  wishing  to  marry  Creusa,  princess  of  Co- 
rinth, put  away  Medea.  She,  enraged  at  his  ingratitude, 
called  on  the  gods  for  vengeance,  sent  a  poisoned  robe  as 
a  gift  to  the  bride,  and  then  killing  her  own  children,  and 
setting  fire  to  the  palace,  mounted  her  serpent-drawn 
chariot  and  fled  to  Athens,  where  she  married  King  -^ge- 
us,  the  father  of  Theseus,  and  we  shall  meet  her  again 
when  we  come  to  the  adventures  of  that  hero. 

The  incantations  of  Medea  will  remind  the  reader  of 
those  of  the  witches  in  Macbeth.  The  following  lines 
are  those  which  seem  most  strikingly  to  recall  the  ancient 
model :  — 

"  Round  about  the  caldron  go ; 
In  the  poisoned  enti-ails  throw. 
«        «        «        «        « 

Fillet  of  a  fenny  snake 
In  the  caldron  boil  and  bake ; 
Eye  of  newt  and  toe  of  frog, 
Wool  of  bat  and  tongue  of  dog. 


190  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Adder's  fork  and  blind-worm's  sting, 
Lizard's  leg  and  howlet's  wing : 
•        «        «        «        « 

Maw  of  ravening  salt-sea  shark, 

Root  of  hemlock  digged  in  the  dark,"  &c. 

Macbeth,  Act  IV.  Scene  1. 

And  again :  — 

Macbeth.  —  What  is't  you  do  ? 
Witches.  —  A  deed  without  a  name. 

There  is  another  story  of  Medea  almost  too  revolting 
for  record  even  of  a  sorceress,  a  class  of  persons  to  whom 
both  ancient  and  modern  poets  have  been  accustomed  to 
attribute  every  degree  of  atrocity.  In  her  flight  from 
Colchis  she  had  taken  her  young  brother  Absyrtus  with 
her.  Finding  the  pursuing  vessels  of  -3]^etes  gaining 
upon  the  Argonauts,  she  caused  the  lad  to  be  killed 
and  his  limbs  to  be  strewn  over  the  sea.  -^etes  on 
reaching  the  place  found  these  sorrowful  traces  of  his 
murdered  son ;  but  while  he  tarried  to  collect  the  scattered 
fragments  and  bestow  upon  them  an  honorable  interment, 
the  Argonauts  escaped. 

In  the  poems  of  Campbell  will  be  found  a  translation 
of  one  of  the  choruses  of  the  tragedy  of  Medea,  where 
the  poet  Euripides  has  taken  advantage  of  the  occasion  to 
pay  a  glowing  tribute  to  Athens,  his  native  city.  It  be- 
gins thus :  — 

"  O  haggard  queen !  to  Athens  dost  thou  guide 
Thy  glowing  chariot,  steeped  in  kindred  gore ; 
Or  seek  to  hide  thy  damned  parricide 
Where  Peace  and  Justice  dwell  for  evermore  ?  " 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


191 


Meleager. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 


MELEAGER  AND  ATALANTA. 


One  of  the  heroes  of  the  Argonautic  expedition  was 
Mcleagei',  son  of  CEneus  and  Althca,  king  and  queen  of 
Calydon.  Althea,  when  her  son  was  born,  beheld  the 
three  Destinies,  who,  as  they  spun  their  fatal  thread,  fore- 
told that  the  life  of  the  child  should  last  no  longer  than  a 
brand  then  burning  upon  the  hearth.  Althea  seized  and 
quenched  the  brand,  and  carefully  preserved  it  for  years, 
while  Meleager  grew  to  boyhood,  youth,  and  manhood.  It 
chanced,  then,  that  QEneus,  as  he  offered  sacrifices  to  the 


192  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEK0E8. 

gods,  omitted  to  pay  due  honors  to  Diana  ;  and  she,  indig- 
nant at  the  neglect,  sent  a  wild  boar  of  enormous  size  to 
lay  waste  the  fields  of  Calydon.  Its  eyes  shone  with 
blood  and  fire,  its  bristles  stood  like  threatening  spears,  its 
tusks  were  like  those  of  Indian  elephants.  The  growing 
corn  was  trampled,  the  vines  and  olive  trees  laid  waste, 
the  flocks  and  herds  were  driven  in  wild  confusion  by  the 
slaughtering  foe.  All  common  aid  seemed  vain ;  but  Me- 
leager  called  on  the  heroes  of  Greece  to  join  in  a  bold 
hunt  for  the  ravenous  monster.  Theseus  and  his  friend 
Pirithous,  Jason,  Peleus  afterwards  the  father  of  Achilles, 
Telamon  the  father  of  Ajax,  Nestor,  then  a  youth,  but 
who  in  his  age  bore  arms  with  Achilles  and  Ajax  in  the 
Trojan  war,  —  these  and  many  more  joined  in  the  enter- 
prise. With  them  came  Atalanta,  the  daughter  of  lasius, 
king  of  Arcadia.  A  buckle  of  polished  gold  confined  her 
vest,  an  ivory  quiver  hung  on  her  left  shoulder,  and  her 
left  hand  bore  the  bow.  Her  face  blent  feminine  beauty 
with  the  best  graces  of  martial  youth.  Meleager  saw 
and  loved. 

But  now  already  they  were  near  the  monster's  lair. 
They  stretched  strong  nets  from  tree  to  tree ;  they  un- 
coupled their  dogs,  they  tried  to  find  the  footprints  of  their 
quarry  in  the  grass.  From  the  wood  was  a  descent  to 
marshy  ground.  Here  the  boar,  as  he  lay  among  the 
reeds,  heard  the  shouts  of  his  pursuers,  and  rushed  forth 
against  them.  One  and  another  is  thrown  down  and  slain. 
Jason  throws  his  spear,  with  a  prayer  to  Diana  for  suc- 
cess ;  and  the  favoring  goddess  allows  the  weapon  to 
touch,  but  not  to  wound,  removing  the  steel  point  of  the 
spear  even  in  its  flight.  Nestor,  assailed,  seeks  and  finds 
safety  in  the  branches  of  a  tree.  Telamon  rushes  on,  but 
stumbling  at  a  projecting  root,  falls  prone.     But  an  arrow 


STOUIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  193 

from  Atalantii  at  length  for  the  first  time  tastes  the  mon- 
ster's blood.  It  is  a  slight  wound,  but  Meleager  sees  and 
joyfully  proclaims  it.  Anceus,  excited  to  envy  by  the 
praise  given  to  a  female,  loudly  proclaims  his  own  valor, 
and  defies  alike  the  boar  and  the  goddess  who  had  sent  it ; 
but  as  he  rushes  on,  the  infuriated  beast  lays  him  low  with 
a  mortal  wound.  Theseus  throws  his  lance,  but  it  is 
turned  aside  by  a  projecting  bough.  The  dart  of  Jason 
misses  its  object,  and  kills  instead  one  of  their  own  dogs. 
But  Meleager,  after  one  unsuccessful  stroke,  drives  his 
spear  into  the  monster's  side,  then  rushes  on  and  de- 
spatches him  with  repeated  blows. 

Then  rose  a  shout  from  those  around  ;  they  congratu- 
lated the  conqueror,  crowding  to  touch  his  hand.  He, 
placing  his  foot  upon  the  head  of  the  slain  boar,  turned  to 
Atalanta  and  bestowed  on  her  the  head  and  the  rough 
hide  which  were  the  trophies  of  his  success.  But  at  this, 
envy  excited  the  rest  to  strife.  Plexippus  and  Toxeus, 
the  brothers  of  Meleager's  mother,  beyond  the  rest  op- 
posed the  gift,  and  snatched  from  the  maiden  the  trophy 
she  had  received.  Meleager,  kindling  with  I'age  at  the 
wrong  done  to  himself,  and  still  more  at  the  insult  offered 
to  her  whom  he  loved,  forgot  the  claims  of  kindred,  and 
plunged  his  sword  into  the  offenders'  hearts. 

As  Althea  bore  gifts  of  thankfulness  to  the  temples  for 
the  victory  of  her  son,  the  bodies  of  her  murdered  broth- 
ers met  her  sight.  She  shrieks,  and  beats  her  breast, 
and  hastens  to  change  the  garments  of  rejoicing  for  those 
of  mourning.  But  when  the  author  of  the  deed  is  known, 
grief  gives  way  to  the  stern  desire  of  vengeance  on  her 
son.  The  fatal  brand,  which  once  she  rescued  from  the 
flames,  the  brand  which  the  Destinies  had  linked  with 
Meleager's  life,  she  brings  forth,  and  commands  a  fire  to 
17 


194  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

be  prepared.  Then  four  times  she  essays  to  place  the 
brand  upon  the  pile;  four  times  draws  back,  shuddering 
at  the  thought  of  bringing  destruction  on  her  son.  The 
feelings  of  the  mother  and  the  sister  contend  within  her. 
Now  she  is  pale  at  the  thought  of  the  purposed  deed,  now 
flushed  again  with  anger  at  the  act  of  her  son.  As  a  ves- 
sel, driven  in  one  direction  by  the  wind,  and  in  the  oppo- 
site by  the  tide,  the  mind  of  Aithea  hangs  suspended  in 
uncertainty.  But  now  the  sister  prevails  above  the  moth- 
er, and  she  begins  as  she  holds  the  fatal  wood :  "  Turn, 
ye  Furies,  goddesses  of  punishment !  turn  to  behold  the 
sacrifice  I  bring!  Crime  must  atone  for  crime.  Shall 
OEneus  rejoice  in  his  victor  son,  while  the  house  of  Thes- 
tius  is  desolate?  But,  alas!  to  what  deed  am  I  borne 
along  ?  Brothers,  forgive  a  mother's  weakness  !  my  hand 
fails  me.  He  deserves  death,  but  not  that  I  should  de- 
stroy him.  But  shall  he  then  live,  and  triumph,  and  reign 
over  Calydon,  while  you,  my  brothers,  wander  unavenged 
among  the  shades  ?  No !  thou  hast  lived  by  my  gift ; 
die,  now,  for  thine  own  crime.  Return  the  life  which 
twice  I  gave  thee,  first  at  thy  birth,  again  when  I  snatched 
this  brand  from  the  flames.  O  that  thou  hadst  then  died ! 
Alas !  evil  is  the  conquest ;  but,  brothers,  ye  have  con- 
quered." And,  turning  away  her  face,  she  threw  the 
fatal  Avood  upon  the  burning  pile. 

It  gave,  or  seemed  to  give,  a  deadly  groan.  Meleager, 
absent  and  unknowing  of  the  cause,  felt  a  sudden  pang. 
He  burns,  and  only  by  courageous  pride  conquers  the  pain 
which  destroys  him.  He  mourns  only  that  he  perishes  by 
a  bloodless  and  unhonored  death.  With  his  last  breath  he 
calls  upon  his  aged  father,  his  brother,  and  his  fond  sis- 
ters, upon  his  beloved  Atalanta,  and  upon  his  mother,  the 
unknown    cause  of  his  fate.     The   flames  increase,  and 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  195 

with  them  the  pain  of  tlie  hero.  Now  both  subside ;  now 
both  are  quenched.  The  brand  is  ashes,  and  the  life  of 
Meleager  is  breathed  forth  to  the  wandering  winds. 

Althea,  when  the  deed  was  done,  laid  violent  hands 
upon  herself.  The  sisters  of  Meleager  mourned  their 
brother  with  uncontrollable  grief;  till  Diana,  pitying  the 
sorrows  of  the  house  that  once  had  aroused  her  anger, 
turned  them  into  birds. 


ATALANTA. 

The  innocent  cause  of  so  much  sorrow  was  a  maiden 
whose  face  you  might  truly  say  was  boyish  for  a  girl,  yet 
too  girlish  for  a  boy.  Her  fortune  had  been  told,  and  it 
was  to  this  effect :  "  Atalanta,  do  not  marry ;  marriage 
will  be  your  ruin."  Terrified  by  this  oracle,  she  fled  the 
society  of  men,  and  devoted  herself  to  the  sports  of  the 
chase.  To  all  suitors  (for  she  had  many)  she  imposed  a 
condition  which  was  generally  effectual  in  relieving  her 
of  their  persecutions,  —  "I  will  be  the  prize  of  him  who 
shall  conquer  me  in  the  race ;  but  death  must  be  the  pen- 
alty of  all  who  try  and  fail."  In  spite  of  this  hard  con- 
dition some  would  try.  Hippomenes  was  to  be  judge  of 
the  race.  "  Can  it  be  possible  that  any  will  be  so  rash  as 
to  risk  so  much  for  a  wife  ?  "  said  he.  But  when  he  saw 
her  lay  aside  her  robe  for  the  race,  he  changed  his  mind, 
and  said,  "Pardon  me,  youths,  I  knew  not  the  prize  you 
were  competing  for."  As  he  surveyed  them  he  wished 
them  all  to  be  beaten,  and  swelled  with  envy  of  any  one 
that  seemed  at  all  likely  to  win.  While  such  were  his 
thoughts,  the  virgin  darted  forward.  As  she  ran  she 
looked  more  beautiful  than  ever.     The  breezes  seemed  to 


196  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

give  wings  to  her  feet ;  her  hair  flew  over  her  shoulders, 
and  the  gay  fringe  of  her  garment  fluttered  behind  her. 
A  ruddy  hue  tinged  the  whiteness  of  her  skin,  such  as  a 
crimson  curtain  casts  on  a  marble  wall.  All  her  competi- 
tors were  distanced,  and  were  put  to  death  without  mercy. 
Hippomenes,  not  daunted  by  this  result,  fixing  his  eyes  on 
the  virgin,  said,  "  Why  boast  of  beating  those  laggards  ? 
I  offer  myself  for  the  contest."  Atalanta  looked  at  him 
with  a  pitying  countenance,  and  hardly  knew  whether  she 
would  rather  conquer  him  or  not.  "  What  god  can  tempt 
one  so  young  and  handsome  to  throw  himself  away  ?  I 
pity  him,  not  for  his  beauty,  (yet  he  is  beautiful,)  but  for 
his  youth.  I  wish  he  would  give  up  the  race,  or  if  he 
will  be  so  mad,  I  hope  he  may  outrun  me."  While  she 
hesitates,  revolving  these  thoughts,  the  spectators  grow 
impatient  for  the  race,  and  her  father  prompts  her  to  pre- 
pare. Then  Hippomenes  addressed  a  prayer  to  Venus : 
"  Help  me,  Venus,  for  you  have  led  me  on."  Venus 
heard,  and  was  propitious. 

In  the  garden  of  her  temple,  in  her  own  island  of  Cy- 
prus, is  a  tree  with  yellow  leaves  and  yellow  branches, 
and  golden  fruit.  Hence  she  gathered  three  golden  apples, 
and,  unseen  by  any  one  else,  gave  them  to  Hippomenes, 
and  told  him  how  to  use  them.  The  signal  is  given ;  each 
starts  from  the  goal,  and  skims  over  the  sand.  So  light 
their  tread,  you  would  almost  have  thought  they  might  run 
over  the  river  surface  or  over  the  waving  grain  without 
sinking.  The  cries  of  the  spectators  cheered  Hippomenes, 
— "  Now,  now  do  your  best !  haste,  haste !  you  gain  on 
her !  relax  not !  one  more  effort ! "  It  was  doubtful 
whether  the  youth  or  the  maiden  heard  these  cries  with 
the  greater  pleasure.  But  his  breath  began  to  fail  him, 
his  throat  Avas  dry,  the  goal  yet  far  off.     At  that  moment 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HKUOES.  197 

he  threw  down  one  of  the  golden  apples.  The  virgin  was 
all  amazement.  She  stopped  to  pick  it  up.  Hippomenes 
shot  ahead.  Shouts  burst  forth  from  all  sides.  She  re- 
doubled her  efforts,  and  soon  overtook  him.  Again  he 
threw  an  apple.  She  stopped  again,  but  again  came  up 
with  him.  The  goal  was  near ;  one  chance  only  remained. 
"  Now,  goddess,"  said  he,  "  prosper  your  gift !  "  and  threw 
the  last  apple  off  at  one  side.  She  looked  at  it,  and  hesi- 
tated ;  Venus  impelled  her  to  turn  aside  for  it.  She  did 
so,  and  was  vanquished.  The  youth  carried  off  his  prize. 
But  the  lovers  were  so  full  of  their  own  happiness  that 
they  forgot  to  pay  due  honor  to  Venus ;  and  the  goddess 
was  provoked  at  their  ingratitude.  She  caused  them  to 
give  offence  to  Cybele.  That  powerful  goddess  was  not 
to  be  insulted  with  impunity.  She  took  from  them  their 
human  form  and  turned  them  into  animals  of  characters 
resembling  their  own  :  of  the  huntress-heroine,  triumphing 
in  the  blood  of  her  lovers,  she  made  a  lioness,  and  of  her 
lord  and  master  a  lion,  and  yoked  them  to  her  car,  where 
they  are  still  to  be  seen  in  all  representations,  in  statuary 
or  painting,  of  the  goddess  Cybele. 

Cybele  is  the  Latin  name  of  the  goddess  called  by  tlie 
Greeks  Rhea  and  Ops.  She  was  the  wife  of  Cronos  and 
mother  of  Zeus.  In  works  of  art,  she  exhibits  the  ma- 
tronly air  which  distinguishes  Juno  and  Ceres.  Sometimes 
she  is  veiled,  and  seated  on  a  throne  with  lions  at  her  side, 
at  other  times  riding  in  a  chariot  drawn  by  lions.  She 
wears  a  mural  crown,  that  is,  a  crown  whose  rim  is  carved 
in  the  form  of  towers  and  battlements.  Her  priests  were 
called  Corybantes. 

Byron  in  describing  the  city  of  Venice,  which  is  built 
17* 


198  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

on  a  low  island  in  the  Adriatic  Sea,  borrows  an  illustration 
from  Cybele:  — 

"  She  looks  a  sea-Cybele  fresh  from  ocean, 
Rising  ■with  her  tiara  of  prowd  to%¥ers 
At  airy  distance,  with  majestic  motion, 
A  ruler  of  the  waters  and  their  powers. 

Childe  Harold,  IV. 

In  Moore's  Rhymes  on  the  Road,  the  poet,  speaking  of 
Alpine  scenery,  alludes  to  the  story  of  Atalanta  and  Hip- 
pomenes,  thus :  — 

"  Even  here,  in  this  region  of  wonders,  I  find 
That  light-footed  Fancy  leaves  Tnith  far  behind , 
Or  at  least,  like  Hippomenes,  turns  her  astray 
By  the  golden  illusions  he  flings  in  her  way." 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 


199 


Hercules. 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

HERCULES  — HEBE  AND  GANYMEDE. 


HERCULES. 

Hercules  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Alcmena.  As 
Juno  was  always  hostile  to  the  ofifspring  of  her  husband 
by  mortal  mothers,  she  declared  war  against  Hercules 
from  his  birth.  She  sent  two  serpents  to  destroy  him  as 
he  lay  in  his  cradle,  but  the  precocious  infant  strangled 
them  with  his  own  hands.  He  was  however  by  the  arts 
of  Juno  rendered  subject  to  Eurystheus  and  compelled  to 


200  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

perform  all  his  commands.  Eurystheus  enjoined  upon 
him  a  succession  of  desperate  adventures,  which  are  called 
the  twelve  "  Labors  of  Hercules."  The  first  was  the  fight 
with  the  Nemean  lion.  The  valley  of  Nemea  was  in- 
fested by  a  terrible  lion.  Eurystheus  ordered  Hercules  to 
bring  him  the  skin  of  this  monster.  After  using  in  vain 
his  club  and  arrows  against  the  lion,  Hercules  strangled 
the  animal  with  his  hands.  He  returned  carrying  the 
dead  lion  on  his  shoulders ;  but  Eurystheus  was  so  fright- 
ened at  the  sight  of  it  and  at  this  proof  of  the  prodigious 
strength  of  the  hero,  that  he  ordered  him  to  deliver  the 
account  of  his  exploits  in  future  outside  the  town. 

His  next  labor  was  the  slaughter  of  the  Hydra.  This 
monster  ravaged  the  country  of  Argos,  and  dwelt  in  a 
swamp  near  the  well  of  Amymone.  This  well  had  been 
discovered  by  Amymone  when  the  country  was  suffering 
from  drought,  and  the  story  was,  that  Neptune,  who  loved 
her,  had  permitted  her  to  touch  the  rock  with  his  trident, 
and  a  spring  of  three  outlets  burst  forth.  Here  the  Hy- 
dra took  up  his  position,  and  Hercules  was  sent  to  destroy 
him.  The  Hydra  had  nine  heads,  of  which  the  middle 
one  was  immortal.  Hercules  struck  off  its  heads  with  his 
club,  but  in  the  place  of  the  head  knocked  off,  two  new 
ones  grew  forth  each  time.  At  length  with  the  assistance 
of  his  faithful  servant  lolaus,  he  burned  away  the  heads 
of  the  Hydra,  and  buried  the  ninth  or  immortal  one  under 
a  huge  rock. 

Another  labor  was  the  cleaning  of  the  Augean  stables. 
Augeas,  king  of  Elis,  had  a  herd  of  three  thousand  oxen, 
whose  stalls  had  not  been  cleansed  for  thirty  years.  Her- 
cules brought  the  rivers  Alpheus  and  Peneus  through 
them,  and  cleansed  them  thoroughly  in  one  day. 

His  next  labor  was  of  a  more  delicate  kind.     Admeta, 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES.  201 

the  daughter  of  Eurystheus,  longed  to  obtain  the  girdle  of 
the  queen  of  the  Amazons,  and  Eurystheus  ordered  Her- 
cules to  go  and  get  it.  The  Amazons  were  a  nation  of 
women.  They  were  very  warlike  and  held  several  flour- 
ishing cities.  It  was  their  custom  to  bring  up  only  the 
female  children ;  the  boys  were  either  sent  away  to  the 
neighboring  nations  or  put  to  death.  Hercules  was  aC' 
companied  by  a  number  of  volunteers,  and  after  various 
adventures  at  last  reached  the  country  of  the  Amazons. 
Hippolyta,  the  queen,  received  him  kindly,  and  consented 
to  yield  him  her  girdle,  but  Juno,  taking  the  form  of  an 
Amazon,  went  and  persuaded  the  rest  that  the  strangers 
were  carrying  off  their  queen.  They  instantly  armed 
and  came  in  great  numbers  down  to  the  ship.  Hercules, 
thinking  that  Hippolyta  had  acted  treacherously,  slew  her, 
and  taking  her  girdle  made  sail  homewards. 

Another  task  enjoined  him  was  to  bring  to  Eurystheus 
the  oxen  of  Geryon,  a  monster  with  three  bodies,  who 
dwelt  in  the  island  Erytheia,  (the  red,)  so  called  be- 
cause it  lay  at  the  west,  under  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun. 
This  description  is  thought  to  apply  to  Spain,  of  which 
Geryon  was  king.  After  traversing  various  countries, 
Hercules  reached  at  length  the  frontiers  of  Libya  and 
Europe,  where  he  raised  the  two  mountains  of  Calpe  and 
Abyla,  as  monuments  of  his  progress,  or  according  to  an- 
other account  rent  one  mountain  into  two  and  left  half  on 
each  side,  forming  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  the  two  moun- 
tains being  called  the  Pillars  of  Hercules.  The  oxen 
were  guarded  by  the  giant  Eurytion  and  his  two-headed 
dog,  but  Hercules  killed  the  giant  and  his  dog  and  bi'ought 
away  the  oxen  in  safety  to  Eurystheus. 

The  most  difficult  labor  of  all  was  getting  the  golden 
apples  of  the  Hesperides,  for  Hercules  did  not  know  where 


202  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

to  find  them.  These  were  the  apples  which  Juno  had 
received  at  her  wedding  from  the  goddess  of  the  Earth, 
and  which  she  had  intrusted  to  the  keeping  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  Hesperis,  assisted  by  a  watchful  dragon.  After 
various  adventures  Hercules  arrived  at  Mount  Atlas  in 
Africa.  Atlas  was  one  of  the  Titans  who  had  warred 
against  the  gods,  and  after  they  were  subdued.  Atlas  was 
condemned  to  bear  on  his  shoulders  the  weight  of  the 
heavens.  He  was  the  father  of  the  Hesperides,  and  Her- 
cules thought,  might,  if  any  one  could,  find  the  apples  and 
bring  them  to  him.  But  how  to  send  Atlas  away  from 
his  post,  or  bear  up  the  heavens  while  he  was  gone  ? 
Hercules  took  the  burden  on  his  own  shoulders,  and  sent 
Atlas  to  seek  the  apples.  He  returned  with  them,  and 
though  somewhat  reluctantly,  took  his  burden  upon  his 
shoulders  again,  and  let  Hercules  return  with  the  apples 
to  Eurystheus. 

Milton  in  his  Comus  makes  the  Hesperides  the  daugh- 
ters of  Hesperus,  and  nieces  of  Atlas :  — 

" amidst  the  gardens  fair 

Of  Hesperus  and  his  daughters  three, 
That  sing  about  the  golden  tree. 

The  poets,  led  by  the  analogy  of  the  lovely  appearance 
of  the  western  sky  at  sunset,  viewed  the  west  as  a  region 
of  brightness  and  glory.  Hence  they  placed  in  it  the  Isles 
of  the  blest,  the  ruddy  isle  Erytheia,  on  which  the  bright 
oxen  of  Geryon  were  pastured,  and  the  isle  of  the  Hes- 
perides. The  apples  are  supposed  by  some  to  be  the 
oranges  of  Spain,  of  which  the  Greeks  had  heard  some 
obscure  accounts. 

A  celebrated  exploit  of  Hercules  was  his  victory  over 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  203 

Antaeus.  Antaeus,  tlie  son  of  Terra,  the  Earth,  was  a 
mighty  giant  and  wrestler,  whose  strength  was  invincible 
so  long  as  he  remained  in  contact  with  his  mother  Earth. 
He  compelled  all  strangers  who  came  to  his  country  to 
wrestle  with  him,  on  condition  that  if  conquered  (as  they 
all  were)  they  should  be  put  to  death.  Hercules  en- 
countered him,  and  finding  that  it  was  of  no  avail  to  throw 
him,  for  he  always  rose  with  renewed  strength  from  every 
fall,  he  lifted  him  up  from  the  earth  and  strangled  him  in 
the  air. 

Cacus  was  a  huge  giant,  who  inhabited  a  cave  on 
Mount  Aventine,  and  plundered  the  surrounding  country. 
When  Hei'cules  was  driving  home  the  oxen  of  Geryon, 
Cacus  stole  part  of  the  cattle,  while  the  hero  slept.  That 
their  foot-prints  might  not  serve  to  show  where  they  had 
been  driven,  he  dragged  them  backward  by  their  tails  to 
his  cave  ;  so  their  tracks  all  seemed  to  show  that  they  had 
gone  in  the  opposite  direction.  Hercules  was  deceived  by 
this  stratagem,  and  would  have  failed  to  find  his  oxen,  if 
it  had  not  happened  that  in  driving  the  remainder  of  the 
herd  past  the  cave  where  the  stolen  ones  were  concealed, 
those  within  began  to  low,  and  were  thus  discovered. 
Cacus  was  slain  by  Hercules. 

The  last  exploit  we  shall  record  was  bx'inging  Cerberus 
from  the  lower  world.  Hercules  descended  into  Hades, 
accompanied  by  Mercury  and  Minerva,  He  obtained 
permission  from  Pluto  to  carry  Cerbenis  to  the  upper  air 
provided  he  could  do  it  without  the  use  of  weapons ;  and 
in  spite  of  the  monster's  struggling,  he  seized  him,  held  him 
fast,  and  carried  him  to  Eurystheus,  and  afterwards  brought 
him  back  again.  When  he  was  in  Hades  he  obtained  the 
liberty  of  Theseus,  his  admirer  and  imitator,  who  had  been 
detained  a  prisoner  there  for  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
carry  off'  Proserpine. 


204  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Hercules  in  a  fit  of  madness  killed  his  friend  Iphitua, 
and  was  condemned  for  this  offence  to  become  the  slave  of 
Queen  Omphale  for  three  years.  While  in  this  service 
the  hero's  nature  seemed  changed.  He  lived  effeminately, 
wearing  at  times  the  dress  of  a  woman,  and  spinning  wool 
with  the  hand-maidens  of  Omphale,  while  the  queen  wore 
his  lion's  skin.  When  this  service  was  ended  he  married 
Dejanira  and  lived  in  peace  with  her  three  years.  On 
one  occasion  as  he  was  travelling  with  his  wife,  they  came 
to  a  river,  across  which  the  Centaur  Nessus  carried  trav- 
ellers for  a  stated  fee.  Hercules  himself  forded  the  river, 
but  gave  Dejanira  to  Nessus  to  be  carried  across.  Nessus 
attempted  to  run  away  with  her,  but  Hercules  heard  her 
cries,  and  shot  an  arrow  into  the  heart  of  Nessus.  The 
dying  Centaur  told  Dejanira  to  take  a  portion  of  his  blood 
and  keep  it,  as  it  might  be  used  as  a  charm  to  preserve 
the  love  of  her  husband. 

Dejanira  did  so,  and  before  long  fancied  she  had  occa- 
sion to  use  it.  Hercules  in  one  of  his  conquests  had  taken 
prisoner  a  fair  maiden,  named  lole,  of  whom  he  seemed 
more  fond  than  Dejanira  approved.  When  Hercules  was 
about  to  offer  sacrifices  to  the  gods  in  honor  of  his  victory, 
he  sent  to  his  wife  for  a  white  robe  to  use  on  the  occasion. 
Dejanira,  thinking  it  a  good  opportunity  to  try  her  love- 
spell,  steeped  the  garment  in  the  blood  of  Nessus.  We 
are  to  suppose  she  took  care  to  wash  out  all  traces  of  it, 
but  the  magic  power  remained,  and  as  soon  as  the  garment 
became  warm  on  the  body  of  Hercules,  the  poison  pene- 
trated into  all  his  limbs  and  caused  him  the  most  intense 
agony.  In  his  frenzy  he  seized  Lichas,  who  had  brought 
him  the  fatal  robe,  and  hurled  him  into  the  sea.  He 
wrenched  off  the  garment,  but  it  stuck  to  his  flesh,  and 
with  it  he  tore  away  whole  pieces  of  his  body.     In  this 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES.  205 

state  he  embarked  on  boai'd  a  ship  and  was  conveyed 
home.  Dejanira  on  seeing  wliat  she  had  unwittingly  done, 
hung  herself.  Hercules,  prepared  to  die,  ascended  Mount 
Qiita,  Avherc  he  built  a  funeral  pile  of  trees,  gave  his  bow 
and  arrows  to  Philoctetes,  and  laid  himself  down  on  the 
pile,  his  head  resting  on  his  club,  and  his  lion's  skin  spread 
over  him.  With  a  countenance  tis  serene  as  if  he  were 
taking  his  place  at  a  festal  board,  he  commanded  Philoc- 
tetes to  apply  the  torch.  The  flames  spread  apace  and 
soon  invested  the  whole  mass. 

Milton  thus  alludes  to  the  frenzy  of  Hercules: — 

"As  when  Alcides,*  from  CEchalia  crowned 
With  conquest,  felt  the  envenomed  robe,  and  tore, 
Through  pain,  up  by  the  roots  Thcssalian  pines 
And  Lichas  from  the  top  of  QEta  threw 
Into  the  Euboic  Sea." 

The  gods  themselves  felt  troubled  at  seeing  the  cham- 
pion of  the  earth  so  brought  to  his  end.  But  Jupiter  with 
cheerful  countenance  thus  addressed  them :  "  I  am  pleased 
to  see  your  concern,  my  princes,  and  am  gratified  to  per- 
ceive that  I  am  the  ruler  of  a  loyal  people,  and  that  my 
son  enjoys  your  favor.  For  although  your  interest  in  him 
arises  from  his  noble  deeds,  yet  it  is  not  the  less  gratifying 
to  me.  But  now  I  say  to  you.  Fear  not.  He  who  con- 
quered all  else  is  not  to  be  conquered  by  those  flames 
which  you  see  blazing  on  Mount  QEta.  Only  his  mother's 
share  in  him  can  perish ;  what  he  derived  from  me  is 
immortal.  I  shall  take  him,  dead  to  earth,  to  the  heavenly 
shores,  and  I  require  of  you  all  to  receive  him  kindly.     If 

*  Alcides,  a  name  of  Hercules. 
18 


206.  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

any  of  you  feel  grieved  at  his  attaining  this  honor,  yet  no 
one  can  deny  that  he  has  deserved  it."  The  gods  all  gave 
their  assent ;  Juno  only  heard  the  closing  words  with  some 
displeasure  that  she  should  be  so  particularly  pointed  at, 
yet  not  enough  to  make  her  regret  the  determination  of 
her  husband.  So  when  the  flames  had  consumed  the  moth- 
er's share  of  Hercules,  the  diviner  part,  instead  of  being 
injured  thereby,  seemed  to  start  forth  with  new  vigoi",  to 
assume  a  more  lofty  port  and  a  more  awful  dignity.  Ju- 
piter enveloped  him  in  a  cloud,  and  took  him  up  in  a  four- 
horse  chariot  to  dwell  among  the  stars.  As  he  took  his 
place  in  heaven,  Atlas  felt  the  added  weight. 

Juno,  now  reconciled  to  him,  gave  him  her  daughter 
Hebe  in  marriage. 

The  poet  Schiller,  in  one  of  his  pieces  called  the  Ideal 
and  Life,  illustrates  the  contrast  between  the  practical 
and  the  imaginative  in  some  beautiful  stanzas,  of  which 
the  last  two  may  be  thus  translated :  — 

"  Deep  degraded  to  a  coward's  slave, 
Endless  contests  bore  Alcides  brave, 
Through  the  thorny  path  of  suffering  led ; 
Slew  the  Hydra,  crushed  the  lion's  might, 
Threw  himself,  to  bring  his  friend  to  light, 
Living,  in  the  skiff  that  bears  the  dead. 
All  the  torments,  every  toil  of  earth 
Juno's  hatred  on  him  could  impose. 
Well  he  bore  them,  from  his  fated  birth 
To  life's  grandly  mournful  close. 

"  Till  the  god,  the  earthly  part  forsaken. 
From  the  man  in  flames  asunder  taken. 
Drank  the  heavenly  ether's  purer  breath. 
Joyous  in  the  new  unwonted  lightness. 
Soared  he  upwards  to  celestial  brightness. 
Earth's  dark  heavy  burden  lost  in  death. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  207 

Higli  Olympus  gives  harmonious  greeting 
To  the  hall  where  reigns  his  sire  adored  ; 
Youth's  hriglit  goddess,  with  a  blush  at  meeting, 
Gives  the  nectar  to  her  lord."  S.  G.  B. 


HEBE   AND    GANYMEDE. 

Hebe,  the  daughter  of  Juno,  and  goddess  of  youth,  was 
cup-bearer  to  the  gods.  The  usual  story  is,  that  she  re- 
signed her  office  on  becoming  the  wife  of  Hercules.  But 
tliere  is  another  statement  which  our  countryman  Craw- 
ford, the  sculjitor,  has  adopted  in  his  group  of  Hebe  and 
Ganymede,  now  in  the  Atlienaium  gallery.  According  to 
this,  Hebe  was  dismissed  from  her  office  in  consequence 
of  a  fall  which  she  met  with  one  day  when  in  attendance 
on  the  gods.  Her  successor  was  Ganymede,  a  Trojan 
boy  whom  Jupiter,  in  the  disguise  of  an  eagle,  seized  and 
carried  off  from  the  midst  of  his  playfellows  on  Mount 
Ida,  bore  up  to  heaven,  and  installed  in  the  vacant  place. 

Tennyson,  in  his  Palace  of  Art,  describes  among  the 
decorations  on  the  walls,  a  picture  representing  this 
legend :  — 

"  There,  too,  flushed  Ganymede,  his  rosy  thigh 
Half  buried  in  the  eagle's  do\vn. 
Sole  as  a  flying  star  shot  through  the  sky 
Above  the  pillared  town." 

And  in  Shelley's  Prometheus,  Jupiter  calls  to  his  cup- 
bearer thus :  — 

"  Pour  forth  heaven's  wine,  Idasan  Ganymede, 
And  let  it  fill  the  Dsodal  cups  like  fire." 

The  beautiful  legend  of  the  Choice  of  Hercules  may 
be  found  in  the  Tatler,  No.  97. 


^8  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

CHAPTER    XX. 

THESEUS  — D^D ALUS  — CASTOR   AND  POLLUX. 

THESEUS. 

Theseus  was  the  son  of  ^geus,  king  of  Athens,  and 
of  -^thra,  daughter  of  the  king  of  Troezen.  He  was 
brought  up  at  Troezen,  and  when  arrived  at  manhood,  was 
to  proceed  to  Athens  and  present  himself  to  his  father, 
^geus,  on  parting  from  ^thra,  before  the  birth  of  his 
son,  placed  his  sword  and  shoes  under  a  large  stone,  and 
directed  her  to  send  his  son  to  him  when  he  became  strong 
enough  to  roll  away  the  stone  and  take  them  from  under 
it.  When  she  thought  the  time  had  come,  his  mother  led 
Theseus  to  the  stone,  and  he  removed  it  with  ease,  and 
took  the  sword  and  shoes.  As  the  roads  were  infested 
with  robbers,  his  grandfather  pressed  him  earnestly  to  lake 
the  shorter  and  safer  way  to  his  father's  country,  by  sea ; 
but  the  youth,  feeling  in  himself  the  spirit  and  the  soul  of 
a  hero,  and  eager  to  signalize  himself  like  Hercules,  with 
whose  fame  all  Greece  then  rang,  by  destroying  the  evil- 
doers and  monsters  that  oppressed  the  country,  determined 
on  the  more  perilous  and  adventurous  journey  by  land. 

His  first  day's  journey  brought  him  to  Epidaurus,  where 
dwelt  a  man  named  Periphetes,  a  son  of  Vulcan.  This 
ferocious  savage  always  went  armed  with  a  club  of  iron, 
and  all  travellers  stood  in  terror  of  his  violence.  When 
he  saw  Theseus  approach,  he  assailed  him,  but  speedily 
fell  beneath  the  blows  of  the  young  hero,  who  took  pos- 
session of  his  club,  and  bore  it  ever  afterwards  as  a  me- 
morial of  his  first  victory. 


STORIES    OF   CODS   AND    HEROES.  209 

Several  similar  contests  with  the  petty  tyi'ants  and 
marauders  of  the  country  followed,  in  all  of  which  The- 
seus was  victorious.  One  of  tliese  evil-doers  was  called 
Procrustes,  or  the  Stretcher.  He  had  an  iron  bedstead, 
on  which  he  used  to  tie  all  travellers  who  fell  into  his 
hands.  If  they  were  shorter  than  the  bed,  he  stretched 
their  limbs  to  make  them  fit  it ;  if  they  were  longer  than 
the  bed,  he  lopped  off  a  portion.  Theseus  served  him  as 
he  had  served  others. 

Having  overcome  all  the  perils  of  the  road,  Theseus  at 
length  reached  Athens,  where  new  dangers  awaited  him. 
Medea,  the  sorceress,  who  had  fled  from  Corinth  after  her 
separation  from  Jason,  had  become  the  wife  of  -^geus, 
the  father  of  Theseus.  Knowing  by  her  arts  who  he  was, 
and  fearing  the  loss  of  her  influence  with  her  husband,  if 
Theseus  should  be  acknowledged  as  his  son,  she  filled  the 
mind  of  JEgeus  with  suspicions  of  the  young  stranger,  and 
induced  him  to  present  him  a  cup  of  poison  ;  but  at  the 
moment  when  Theseus  stepped  forward  to  take  it,  the 
sight  of  the  sword  which  he  wore  discovered  to  his  father 
who  he  was,  and  prevented  the  fatal  draught.  Medea, 
detected  in  her  arts,  fled  once  more  from  deserved  punish- 
ment, and  arrived  in  Asia,  where  the  country  afterwards 
called  Media  received  its  name  from  her.  Theseus  was 
acknowledged  by  his  father,  and  declared  his  successor. 

The  Athenians  were  at  that  time  in  deep  affliction,  on 
account  of  the  tribute  which  they  were  forced  to  pay  to 
Minos,  king  of  Crete.  This  tribute  consisted  of  seven 
youths  and  seven  maidens,  who  were  sent  every  year  to 
be  devoured  by  the  Minotaur,  a  monster  with  a  bull's  body 
and  a  human  head.  It  was  exceedingly  strong  and  fierce, 
and  was  kept  in  a  labyi'inth  constructed  by  Diedalus,  so 
artfully  contrived  that  whoever  was  enclosed  in  it  could  by 
18* 


Ho  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

no  means  find  his  way  out  unassisted.  Here  the  Mino- 
taur roamed,  and  was  fed  with  human  victims. 

Theseus  resolved  to  deliver  his  countrymen  from  this 
calamity,  or  to  die  in  the  attempt.  Accordingly,  when  the 
time  of  sending  off  the  tribute  came,  and  the  youths  and 
maidens  were,  according  to  custom,  drawn  by  lot  to  be 
sent,  he  offered  himself  as  one  of  the  victims,  in  spite  of 
the  entreaties  of  his  father.  The  ship  departed  under 
black  sails,  as  usual,  which  Theseus  promised  his  father  to 
change  for  white,  in  case  of  his  returning  victorious. 
When  they  arrived  in  Crete,  the  youths  and  maidens  were 
exhibited  before  Minos ;  and  Ariadne,  the  daughter  of 
the  king,  being  present,  became  deeply  enamoured  of  The- 
seus, by  whom  her  love  was  readily  returned.  She  fur- 
nished him  with  a  sword,  with  which  to  encounter  the 
Minotaur,  and  with  a  clew  of  thread  by  which  he  might 
find  his  way  out  of  the  labyrinth.  He  was  successful, 
slew  the  Minotaur,  escaped  from  the  labyrinth,  and  taking 
Ariadne  as  the  companion  of  his  way,  with  his  rescued 
companions  sailed  for  Athens.  On  their  way  they  stopped 
at  the  island,  of  Naxos,  where  Theseus  abandoned  Ari- 
adne, leaving  her  asleep.*  His  excuse  for  this  ungrateful 
treatment  of  his  benefactress  was,  that  Minerva  appeared 
to  him  in  a  dream  and  commanded  him  to  do  so. 

On  approaching  the  coast  of  Attica,  Theseus  forgot  the 
signal  appointed  by  his  father,  and  neglected  to  raise  the 
white  sails,  and  the  old  king,  thinking  his  son  had  perished, 
put  an  end  to  his  own  life.  Theseus  thus  became  king 
of  Athens. 

One  of  the  most  celebrated  of  the  adventures  of  The- 

*  One  of  the  finest  pieces  of  sculpture  in  Italy,  the  recumbent  Ari- 
adne of  the  Vatican,  represents  this  incident.  A  copy  is  in  the  Athe- 
neeum  gallery,  Boston. 


I 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  211 

ecus  is  his  expedition  against  the  Amazons.  He  assailed 
them  before  they  had  recovered  from  tlie  attack  of  Her- 
cules, and  carried  off  their  queen  Antiope.  The  Amazons 
in  their  turn  invaded  the  country  of  Athens  and  pene- 
trated into  the  city  itself;  and  the  final  battle  in  which 
Theseus  overcame  them  was  fought  in  the  very  midst  of 
the  city.  This  battle  was  one  of  the  favorite  subjects  of 
the  ancient  sculptors,  and  is  commemorated  in  several 
works  of  art  that  are  still  extant. 

The  friendship  between  Theseus  and  PirithoiJs  was  of 
a  most  intimate  nature,  yet  it  originated  in  the  midst  of 
arms,  Pirithous  had  made  an  irruption  into  the  plain 
of  Marathon,  and  carried  off  the  herds  of  the  king  of 
Athens.  Theseus  went  to  repel  the  plunderers.  The 
moment  Pirithous  beheld  him,  he  was  seized  with  admi- 
ration ;  he  stretched  out  his  hand  as  a  token  of  peace,  and 
cried,  "  Be  judge  thyself,  —  what  satisfaction  dost  thou 
require  ?  "  "  Thy  friendship,"  replied  the  Athenian,  and 
they  swore  inviolable  fidelity.  Their  deeds  corresponded 
to  their  professions,  and  they  ever  continued  true  brothers 
in  arms.  Each  of  them  aspired  to  espouse  a  daughter  of 
Jupiter.  Theseus  fixed  his  choice  on  Helen,  then  but  a 
child,  afterwards  so  celebrated  as  the  cause  of  the  Trojan 
war,  and  with  the  aid  of  his  friend  he  carried  her  off.  Pi- 
rithous aspired  to  the  wife  of  the  monarch  of  Erebus  ;  and 
Theseus,  though  aware  of  the  danger,  accompanied  the 
ambitious  lover  in  his  descent  to  the  under  world.  But 
Pluto  seized  and  set  them  on  an  enchanted  rock  at  his 
palace  gate,  where  they  remained  till  Hercules  arrived 
and  liberated  Theseus,  leaving  Pirithous  to  his  fate. 

After  the  death  of  Antiope,  Theseus  married  Phaedra, 
daughter  of  Minos,  king  of  Crete.  Phaedra  saw  in  Hip- 
polytus,  the  son  of  Theseus,  a  youth  endowed  with  all  the 


212  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

graces  and  virtues  of  his  father,  and  of  an  age  correspond- 
ing to  her  own.  She  loved  him,  but  he  repulsed  her  ad- 
vances, and  her  love  was  changed  to  hate.  She  used  her 
influence  over  her  infatuated  husband  to  cause  him  to  be 
jealous  of  his  son,  and  he  imprecated  the  vengeance  of 
Neptune  upon  him.  As  Hippolytus  was  one  day  driving 
his  chariot  along  the  shore,  a  sea-monster  raised  himself 
above  the  waters,  and  frightened  the  horses  so  that  they 
ran  away  and  dashed  the  chariot  to  pieces.  Hippolytus 
was  killed,  but  by  Diana's  assistance  ^sculapius  restored 
him  to  life.  Diana  removed  Hippolytus  from  the  power 
of  his  deluded  father  and  false  step-mother,  and  placed 
him  in  Italy  under  the  protection  of  the  nymph  Egeria. 

Theseus  at  length  lost  the  favor  of  his  people,  and  re- 
tired to  the  court  of  Lycomedes,  king  of  Scyros,  who  at 
first  received  him  kindly,  but  afterwards  treacherously 
slew  him.  In  a  later  age  the  Athenian  general  Cimon 
discovered  the  place  where  his  remains  were  laid,  and 
caused  them  to  be  removed  to  Athens,  where  they  were 
deposited  in  a  temple  called  the  Theseum,  erected  in  honor 
of  the  hero. 

The  queen  of  the  Amazons  whom  Theseus  espoused 
is  by  some  called  Hippolyta.  That  is  the  name  she  bears 
in  Shakspeare's  Midsummer  Night's  Dream,  —  the  sub- 
ject of  which  is  the  festivities  attending  the  nuptials  of 
Theseus  and  Hippolyta. 

Mrs.  Hemans  has  a  poem  on  the  ancient  Greek  tradi- 
tion that  the  "  Shade  of  Theseus "  appeared  strengthen- 
ing his  countrymen  at  the  battle  of  Marathon. 

Theseus  is  a  semi-historical  personage.  It  is  recorded 
-of  him  that  he  united  the  several  tribes  by  whom  the  ter- 
ritory of  Attica  was  then  possessed  into  one  state,  of  which 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES.  213 

Athens  was  the  capital.  In  commemoration  of  this  im- 
portant event,  he  instituted  the  festival  of  Panathenaea,  in 
honor  of  Minerva,  the  patron  deity  of  Athens.  This  fes- 
tival differed  from  the  other  Grecian  games  chiefly  in  two 
particulars.  It  was  peculiar  to  the  Athenians,  and  its 
chief  feature  was  a  solemn  procession  in  which  the  Peplus 
or  sacred  robe  of  Minerva  was  carried  to  the  Parthenon, 
and  suspended  befor(i  the  statue  of  the  goddess.  The 
Peplus  was  covered  with  embroidery,  woi'ked  by  select 
virgins  of  the  noblest  families  in  Athens.  The  procession 
consisted  of  persons  of  all  ages  and  both  sexes.  The  old 
men  carried  olive  branches  in  their  hands,  and  the  young 
men  bore  ai'ms.  The  young  women  carried  baskets  on 
their  heads,  containing  the  sacred  utensils,  cakes,  and  all 
things  necessary  for  the  sacrifices.  The  procession  formed 
the  subject  of  the  bas-reliefs  which  embellished  the  out- 
side of  the  temple  of  the  Parthenon.  A  considerable 
portion  of  these  sculptures  is  now  in  the  British  Museum 
among  those  known  as  the  "  Elgin  marbles." 


OLYMPIC   AND  OTHER  GAMES. 

It  seems  not  inappropriate  to  mention  here  the  other 
celebrated  national  games  of  the  Greeks.  The  first  and 
most  distinguished  were  the  Olympic,  founded  it  was  said 
by  Jupiter  himself.  They  were  celebrated  at  Olympia  in 
Elis.  Vast  numbers  of  spectators  flocked  to  them  from 
every  part  of  Greece,  and  from  Asia,  Africa,  and  Sicily. 
They  Avere  repeated  every  fifth  year  in  midsummer,  and 
continued  five  days.  They  gave  rise  to  the  custom  of 
•reckoning  time  and  dating  events  by  Olympiads.  The 
first  Olympiad  is  generally  considered  as  corresponding 


214  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

with  the  year  776  B.  C.  The  Pythian  games  were  cele- 
brated in  the  vicinity  of  Delphi,  the  Isthmian  on  the  Co- 
rinthian isthmus,  the  Nemean  at  Nemea,  a  city  of  Argolis. 
The  exercises  in  these  games  were  of  five  sorts,  run- 
ning, leaping,  wrestling,  throwing  the  quoit,  and  hurling 
the  javelin,  or  boxing.  Besides  these  exercises  of  bodily 
strength  and  agility,  there  were  contests  in  music,  poetry, 
and  eloquence.  Thus  these  games  furnished  poets,  musi- 
cians, and  authors  the  best  opportunities  to  present  their 
productions  to  the  public,  and  the  fame  of  the  victors  was 
diffused  far  and  wide. 

D^DALUS. 

The  labyrinth  from  which  Theseus  escaped  by  means 
of  the  clew  of  Ariadne  was  built  by  Dasdalus,  a  most 
skilful  artificer.  It  was  an  edifice  with  numberless  wind- 
ing passages  and  turnings  opening  into  one  another,  and 
seeming  to  have  neither  beginning  nor  end,  like  the  river 
Mseander,  which  returns  on  itself,  and  flows  now  onward, 
now  backward,  in  its  course  to  the  sea.  Dcedalus  built 
the  labyrinth  for  King  Minos,  but  afterwaras  lost  the  favor 
of  the  king,  and  was  shut  up  in  a  tower.  He  contrived 
to  make  his  escape  from  his  prison,  but  could  not  leave  the 
island  by  sea,  as  the  king  kept  strict  watch  on  all  the  ves- 
sels, and  permitted  none  to  sail  without  being  carefully 
searched.  "  Minos  may  control  the  land  and  sea,"  said 
Dsedalus,  "  but  not  the  regions  of  the  air.  I  will  try  that 
way."  So  he  set  to  work  to  fabricate  wings  for  himself 
and  his  young  son  Icarus.  He  wrought  feathers  together, 
beginning  with  the  smallest  and  adding  larger,  so  as  to 
form  an  increasing  surface.  The  larger  ones  he  secured 
with  thread  and  the  smaller  with  wax,  and  gave  the  whole 


I 
i 


STOKIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 


215 


I 


Fall  of  Icarus. 

a  gentle  curvature  like  the  wings  of  a  bird.  Icarus,  the 
boy,  stood  and  looked  on,  sometimes  running  to  gather  up 
the  feathers  which  the  wind  had  blown  away,  and  then 
handling  the  wax  and  working  it  over  with  his  fingers,  by 
his  play  impeding  his  father  in  his  labors.  "When  at  last 
the  work  was  done,  the  artist,  waving  his  wings,  found 
himself  buoyed  upwards  and  hung  suspended,  poising 
himself  on  the  beaten  air.  He  next  equipped  his  son  in 
the  same  manner,  and  taught  him  how  to  fly,  as  a  bird 
tempts  lier  young  ones  from  the  lofty  nest  into  the  air. 
When  all  was  prepared  for  flight  he  said,  "  Icarus,  my  son, 
I  charge  you  to  keep  at  a  moderate  height,  for  if  you  fly 
too  low  the  damp  will  clog  your  wings,  and  if  too  high  the 
Tieat  will  melt  them.  Keep  near  me  and  you  will  be  safe." 
Wliile  he  gave  him  these  instructions  and  fitted  the  wings 
to  liis  sliouldcrs,  the  face  of  the  father  was  wet  with  tears, 
and  his  hands  trembled.     He  kissed  the  boy,  not  knowing 


L 


216  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

that  it  was  for  the  last  time.  Then  rising  on  his  wings, 
he  flew  off,  encouraging  him  to  follow,  and  looked  back 
from  his  own  flight  to  see  how  his  son  managed  his  wings. 
As  they  flew  the  ploughman  stopped  his  work  to  gaze,  and 
the  shepherd  leaned  on  his  stafi"  and  watched  them,  aston- 
ished at  the  sight,  and  thinking  they  were  gods  who  could 
thus  cleave  the  air. 

They  passed  Samos  and  Delos  on  the  left  and  Lebyn- 
thos  on  the  right,  when  the  boy,  exulting  in  his  career, 
began  to  leave  the  guidance  of  his  companion  and  soar 
upward  as  if  to  reach  heaven.  The  nearness  of  the  blaz- 
ing sun  softened  the  wax  which  held  the  feathers  together, 
and  they  came  off".  He  fluttered  with  his  arms,  but  no 
feathers  remained  to  hold  the  air.  While  his  mouth  ut- 
tered cries  to  his  father  it  was  submerged  in  the  blue 
waters  of  the  sea,  which  thenceforth  was  called  by  his 
name.  His  father  cried,  "  Icarus,  Icarus,  where  are  you  ?  " 
At  last  he  saw  the  feathers  floating  on  the  water,  and  bit- 
terly lamenting  his  own  arts,  he  buried  the  body  and  called 
the  land  Icaria  in  memory  of  his  child.  Daedalus  arrived 
safe  in  Sicily,  where  he  built  a  temple  to  Apollo,  and  hung 
up  his  wings,  an  offering  to  the  god. 

Daedalus  was  so  proud  of  his  achievements  that  he  could 
not  bear  the  idea  of  a  rival.  His  sister  had  placed  her 
son  Perdix  under  his  charge  to  be  taught  the  mechanical 
arts.  He  was  an  apt  scholar  and  gave  striking  evidences 
of  ingenuity.  Walking  on  the  seashore  he  picked  up  the 
spine  of  a  fish.  Imitating  it,  he  took  a  piece  of  iron  and 
notched  it  on  the  edge,  and  thus  invented  the  saw.  He 
put  two  pieces  of  iron  together,  connecting  them  at  one 
end  with  a  rivet,  and  sharpening  the  other  ends,  and  made 
a  pair  of  compasses.  Daedalus  was  so  envious  of  his 
nephew's  performances  that  he  took  an  opportunity,  when 
they  were  together  one  day  on  the  top  of  a  high  tower,  to 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES.  217 

push  him  ofF.  But  Minerva,  Avho  favors  ingenuity,  saw 
him  falling,  and  arrested  his  fate  by  changing  him  into  a 
bird  called  after  his  name,  the  Partridge.  This  bird  does 
not  build  his  nest  in  the  trees,  nor  take  lofty  flights,  but 
nestles  in  the  hedges,  and  mindful  of  his  fall,  avoids  high 
places. 

The  death  of  Icarus  is  told  in  the  following  lines  by 
Darwin :  — 

" with  melting  wax  and  loosened  strings 

Sunk  hapless  Icarus  on  unfaithful  wings ; 
Headlong  he  rushed  through  the  affrighted  air, 
With  limbs  distorted  and  dishevelled  hair ; 
His  scattered  plumage  danced  upon  the  wave, 
And  sorrowing  Nereids  decked  his  watery  grave ; 
O'er  his  pale  corse  their  pearly  sea-flowers  shed, 
And  strewed  with  crimson  moss  his  marble  bed ; 
Struck  in  their  coral  towers  the  passing  bell, 
And  wide  in  ocean  tolled  his  echoing  knell." 


CASTOR  AND   POLLUX. 

Castor  and  Pollux  were  the  offspring  of  Leda  and  the 
Swan,  under  which  disguise  Jupiter  had  concealed  himself. 
Leda  gave  birth  to  an  egg,  from  which  sprang  the  twins. 
Helen,  so  famous  afterwards  as  the  cause  of  the  Trojan 
war,  was  their  sister. 

When  Theseus  and  his  friend  Pirithous  had  carried  off 
Helen  from  Sparta,  the  youthful  heroes  Castor  and  Pol- 
lux, with  their  followers,  hasted  to  her  rescue.  Theseus 
was  absent  from  Attica  and  the  brothers  were  successful 
in  recovering  their  sister. 

Castor  was  famous  for  taming  and  managing  horses,  and 
19 


218  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

Pollux  for  skill  in  boxing.  They  were  united  by  the 
warmest  affection  and  inseparable  in  all  their  enterprises. 
They  accompanied  the  Argonautic  expedition.  During 
the  voyage  a  storm  arose,  and  Orpheus  prayed  to  the 
Samothracian  gods,  and  played  on  his  harp,  whereupon 
the  storm  ceased  and  stars  appeared  on  the  heads  of  the 
brothers.  From  this  incident.  Castor  and  Pollux  came 
afterwards  to  be  considered  the  patron  deities  of  seamen 
and  voyagers,  and  the  lambent  flames,  which  in  certain 
states  of  the  atmosphere  play  round  the  sails  and  masts 
of  vessels,  were  called  by  their  names. 

After  the  Argonautic  expedition,  we  find  Castor  and 
Pollux  engaged  in  a  war  with  Idas  and  Lynceus.  Cas- 
tor was  slain,  and  Pollux,  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of  his 
brother,  besought  Jupiter  to  be  permitted  to  give  his  own 
life  as  a  ransom  for  him.  Jupiter  so  far  consented  as  to 
allow  the  two  brothers  to  enjoy  the  boon  of  life  alternately, 
passing  one  day  under  the  earth  and  the  next  in  the 
heavenly  abodes.  According  to  another  form  of  the 
story  Jupiter  rewarded  the  attachment  of  the  brothers  by 
placing  them  among  the  stars  as  Gemini,  the  Twins. 

They  received  divine  honors  under  the  name  of  Dios- 
curi, (sons  of  Jove.)  They  were  believed  to  have  ap- 
peared occasionally  in  later  times,  taking  part  with  one 
side  or  the  other,  in  hard-fought  fields,  and  were  said  on 
such  occasions  to  be  mounted  on  magnificent  white  steeds. 
Thus  in  the  early  history  of  Rome  they  are  said  to  have 
assisted  the  Romans  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Regillus,  and 
after  the  victory  a  temple  was  erected  in  their  honor  on 
the  spot  where  they  appeared. 

Macaulay  in  his  Lays  of  Ancient  Rome  thus  alludes  to 
the  legend :  — 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND   HEROES.  219 

"So  like  they  were,  no  mortal 

Might  one  from  other  know ; 
White  as  snow  their  armor  was, 

Their  steeds  were  white  as  snow. 
Never  on  earthly  anvil 

Did  such  rare  armor  gleam, 
And  never  did  such  gallant  steeds 

Drink  of  an  earthly  stream. 
«        *        *        * 
'•  Back  comes  the  chief  in  triumph 

"Who  in  the  hour  of  fight 
Hath  seen  the  great  Twin  Brethren 

In  harness  on  his  right. 
Safe  comes  the  ship  to  haven, 

Through  billows  and  through  gales, 
If  once  the  great  Twin  Brethren 

Sit  shining  on  the  sails." 


220 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 


Bacchus 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


BACCHUS  —  AEIADNE. 


BACCHUS. 


BaccIhus  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Semele.  Juno 
to  gratify  her  resentment  against  Semele  contrived  a  plan 
for  her  destruction.  Assuming  the  form  of  Beroe,  her 
aged  nurse,  she  insinuated  doubts  whether  it  was  indeed 
Jove  himself  who  came  as  a  lover.  Heaving  a  sigh,  she 
said,  "  I  hope  it  will  turn  out  so,  but  I  can't  help  being 
afraid.     People  are  not  always  what  they  pretend  to  be. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  221 

If  he  is  indeed  Jove,  make  him  give  some  proof  of  it. 
Ask  him  to  come  arrayed  m  all  his  splendors,  such  as  he 
wears  in  heaven.  That  will  put  the  matter  beyond  a 
doubt."  Semele  was  persuaded  to  try  the  experiment. 
She  asks  a  favor,  without  naming  what  it  is.  Jove  gives 
his  promise,  and  confirms  it  with  the  irrevocable  oath, 
attesting  the  river  Styx,  terrible  to  the  gods  themselves. 
Then  she  made  known  her  request.  The  god  would  have 
stopped  her  a^  she  spake,  but  she  was  too  quick  for  him. 
The  words  escaped,  and  he  could  neither  unsay  his  prom- 
ise nor  her  request.  In  deep  distress  he  left  her  and 
returned  to  the  upper  regions.  There  he  clothed  himself 
in  his  splendors,  not  putting  on  all  his  terroi'S,  as  when  he 
overthrew  the  giants,  but  what  is  known  among  the  gods 
as  his  lesser  panoply.  Arrayed  in  this  he  entered  the 
chamber  of  Semele.  Her  mortal  frame  could  not  endure 
the  splendors  of  the  immortal  radiance.  She  was  con- 
sumed to  ashes. 

Jove  took  the  infant  Bacchus  and  gave  him  in  charge 
to  the  Nysaean  nymphs,  who  nourished  his  infancy  and 
childhood,  and  for  their  care  were  rewarded  by  Jupiter  by 
being  placed,  as  the  Hyades,  among  the  stars.  When 
Bacchus  grew  up  he  discovered  the  culture  of  the  vine 
and  the  mode  of  extracting  its  precious  juice  ;  but  Juno 
struck  him  with  madness,  and  drove  him  forth  a  wanderer 
through  various  parts  of  the  earth.  In  Phrygia  the  god- 
dess Rhea  cured  him  and  taught  him  her  religious  rites, 
and  he  set  out  on  a  progress  through  Asia  teaching  the 
people  the  cultivation  of  the  vine.  The  most  famous  part 
of  his  wanderings  is  his  expedition  to  India,  which  is  said 
to  have  lasted  several  years.  Returning  in  triumph  he 
undertook  to  introduce  his  worship  into  Greece,  but 
was  opposed  by  some  princes  who  dreaded  its  introduc- 
19* 


222  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

tion  on  account  of  the  disorders  and  madness  it  brought 
with  it 

As  he  approached  his  native  city  Thebes,  Pentheus  the 
king,  who  had  no  respect  for  the  new  worsliip,  forbade  its 
rites  to  be  performed.  But  when  it  was  known  that  Bac- 
chus was  advancing,  men  and  women,  but  chiefly  the  latter, 
young  and  old  poured  forth  to  meet  him  and  to  join  his 
triumphal  march. 

Mr.  Longfellow  in  his  Drinking  Song  thus  describes  the 
march  of  Bacchus  :  — 

"  Fauns  with  youthful  Bacchus  follow ; 
Ivy  cro^vIls  that  brow,  supernal 
As  the  forehead  of  Apollo, 
And  possessing  youth  etcrnaL 

"Round  about  him  fair  Bacchantes, 
Bearing  cymbals,  flutes  and  thyrses, 
Wild  from  Naxian  groves  or  Zante's 
Vineyards,  sing  delirious  verses." 

It  was  in  vain  Pentheus  remonstrated,  commanded,  and 
threatened.  "  Go,"  said  he  to  his  attendants,  "  seize  this 
vagabond  leader  of  the  rout  and  bring  him  to  me.  I  will 
soon  make  him  confess  his  false  claim  of  heavenly  parent- 
age and  renounce  his  counterfeit  woi'ship."  It  was  in  vain 
his  nearest  friends  and  wisest  counsellors  remonstrated 
and  begged  him  not  to  oppose  the  god.  Their  remon- 
strances only  made  him  more  violent. 

But  now  the  attendants  returned  whom  he  jad  de- 
spatched to  seize  Bacchus.  They  had  been  driven  away 
by  the  Bacchanals,  but  had  succeeded  in  taking  one  of 
them  prisoner,  whom,  with  his  hands  tied  behind  him, 
they  brought  before  the  king,     Pentheus  beholding  him 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  223 

with  wrathful  countenance  said,  "  Fellow !  you  shall 
speedily  be  put  to  death,  that  your  fate  may  be  a  warning 
to  others ;  but  though  I  grudge  the  delay  of  your  punish- 
ment, speak,  tell  us  who  you  are,  and  what  are  these  new 
rites  you  presume  to  celebrate." 

The  prisoner  unterrified  responded,  "  My  name  is  Ace- 
tes ;  my  country  is  Mceonia  ;  my  parents  were  poor  people, 
who  had  no  fields  or  flocks  to  leave  me,  but  they  left  me 
their  fishing  rods  and  nets  and  their  fisherman's  trade. 
This  I  followed  for  some  time,  till  growing  weary  of  re- 
maining in  one  place,  I  learned  the  pilot's  art  and  how  to 
guide  my  course  by  the  stars.  It  happened  as  I  was  sail- 
ing for  Delos,  we  touched  at  the  island  of  Dia  and  went 
ashore.  Next  morning  I  sent  the  men  for  fresh  water, 
and  myself  mounted  the  hill  to  observe  the  wind  ;  when 
my  men  returned  bringing  with  them  a  prize,  as  they 
thought,  a  boy  of  delicate  appearance,  whom  they  had 
found  asleep.  They  judged  he  was  a  noble  youth,  per- 
haps a  king's  son,  and  they  might  get  a  liberal  ransom  for 
him.  I  observed  his  dress,  his  walk,  his  face.  There  was 
something  in  them  which  I  felt  sure  was  more  than  mortal. 
I  said  to  my  men,  •  What  god  there  is  concealed  in  that 
form  I  know  not,  but  some  one  there  certainly  is.  Pardon 
us,  gentle  deity,  for  the  violence  we  have  done  you,  and 
give  success  to  our  undertakings.'  Dictys,  one  of  my 
best  hands  for  climbing  the  mast  and  coming  down  by  the 
ropes,  and  Melanthus  my  steersman,  and  Epopeus  the 
leader  of  the  sailors'  cry,  one  and  all  exclaimed,  '  Spare 
your  prayers  for  us.'  So  blind  is  the  lust  of  gain! 
When  they  proceeded  to  put  him  on  board  I  resisted 
them.  '  This  ship  shall  not  be  profaned  by  such  impiety,' 
said  I.  '  I  have  a  greater  share  in  her  than  any  of  you.' 
But  Lycabas,  a  turbulent  fellow,  seized  me  by  the  throat 


224  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

and  attempted  to  throw  me  overboard,  and  I  scarcely 
saved  myself  by  clinging  to  the  ropes.  Tlie  rest  approved 
the  deed. 

"  Then  Bacchus  (for  it  was  indeed  he)  as  if  shaking  ofiF 
his  drowsiness  exclaimed,  '  What  are  you  doing  with  me  ? 
What  is  this  fighting  about?  Who  brought  me  here? 
Where  are  you  going  to  carry  me  ? '  One  of  them  re- 
plied, '  Fear  nothing ;  tell  us  where  you  wish  to  go  and 
we  will  take  you  there.'  'Naxos  is  my  home,'  said 
Bacchus;  'take  me  there  and  you  shall  be  well  re- 
warded.' Tliey  promised  so  to  do,  and  told  me  to  pilot 
the  ship  to  Naxos.  Naxos  lay  to  the  right,  and  I  was 
trimming  the  sails  to  carry  us  there,  when  some  by  signs 
and  others  by  whispers  signified  to  me  their  will  that  I 
should  sail  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  take  the  boy  to 
Egypt  to  sell  him  for  a  slave.  I  was  confounded  and  said, 
*  Let  some  one  else  pilot  the  ship ; '  withdrawing  myself 
from  any  further  agency  in  their  wickedness.  They 
cursed  me,  and  one  of  them  exclaimmg,  '  Don't  flatter 
yourself  that  we  depend  on  you  for  our  safety,'  took  my 
place  as  pilot,  and  bore  away  from  Naxos. 

"Then  the  god,  pretending  that  he  had  just  become 
aware  of  their  treachery,  looked  out  over  the  sea  and  said 
in  a  voice  of  weeping,  '  Sailors,  these  are  not  the  shores 
you  promised  to  take  me  to ;  yonder  island  is  not  my 
home.  What  have  I  done  that  you  should  treat  me  so  ? 
It  is  small  glory  you  will  gain  by  cheating  a  poor  boy.' 
I  wept  to  hear  him,  but  the  crew  laughed  at  both  of  us, 
and  sped  the  vessel  fast  over  the  sea.  All  at  once  — 
strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  is  true, — the  vessel  stopped, 
in  the  mid  sea,  as  fast  as  if  it  was  fixed  on  the  ground. 
The  men,  astonished,  puUed  at  their  oars,  and  spread  more 
sail,  trying  to  make  progress  by  the  aid  of  both,  but  all  in 


STORIES   OP   GODS   AND   HEROES.  225 

vain.  Ivy  twined  round  the  oars  and  hindered  their  mo- 
tion, and  clung  to  the  sails,  with  heavy  clusters  of  berries. 
A  vine,  laden  with  grapes,  ran  up  the  mast,  and  along  the 
sides  of  the  vessel.  The  sound  of  flutes  was  heard  and 
the  odor  of  fragrant  wine  spread  all  around.  The  god 
himself  had  a  chaplet  of  vine  leaves,  and  bore  in  his  hand 
a  spear  wreathed  with  ivy.  Tigers  crouched  at  his  feet, 
and  forms  of  lynxes  and  spotted  panthers  played  around 
him.  The  men  were  seized  with  terror  or  madness  ;  some 
leaped  overboard ;  others  preparing  to  do  the  same  be- 
held their  companions  in  the  water  undergoing  a  change, 
their  bodies  becoming  flattened  and  ending  in  a  crooked 
tail.  One  exclaimed,  '  What  miracle  is  this ! '  and  as  he 
spoke  his  mouth  widened,  his  nostrils  expanded,  and  scales 
covered  all  his  body.  Another  endeavoring  to  pull  the 
oar  felt  his  hands  shrink  up  and  presently  to  be  no  longer 
hands  but  fins ;  another  trying  to  raise  his  arms  to  a  rope 
found  he  had  no  arms,  and  curving  his  mutilated  body, 
jumped  into  the  sea.  What  had  been  his  legs  became 
the  two  ends  of  a  crescent-shaped  tail.  The  whole  crew 
became  dolphins  and  swam  about  the  ship,  now  upon  the 
surface,  now  under  it,  scattering  the  spray,  and  spouting 
the  water  from  their  broad  nostrils.  Of  twenty  men  I 
alone  was  left.  Trembling  with  fear,  the  god  cheered  me. 
'  Fear  not,'  said  he ;  '  steer  towards  Naxos.'  I  obeyed, 
and  when  we  arrived  there,  I  kindled  the  altars  and  cele- 
brated the  sacred  rites  of  Bacchus." 

Pentheus  here  exclaimed,  "  We  have  wasted  time 
enough  on  this  silly  story.  Take  him  away  and  have  him 
executed  without  delay."  Acetes  was  led  away  by  the 
attendants  and  shut  up  fast  in  prison ;  but  while  they  were 
getting  ready  the  instruments  of  execution,  the  prison 
doors  came  open  of  their  own  accord  and  the  chains  fell 


226  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    nEROES. 

from  his  limbs,  and  when  they  looked  for  him  he  was  no- 
where to  be  found. 

Pentheus  would  take  no  warning,  but  instead  of  sending 
others,  determined  to  go  himself  to  the  scene  of  the  so- 
lemnities. The  mountain  Citheron  was  all  alive  with 
worshippers,  and  the  cries  of  the  Bacchanals  resounded 
on  every  side.  The  noise  roused  the  anger  of  Pentheus 
as  the  sound  of  a  trumpet  does  the  fire  of  a  war-horse. 
He  penetrated  through  the  wood  and  reached  an  open 
space  where  the  chief  scene  of  the  orgies  met  his  eyes. 
At  the  same  moment  the  women  saw  him ;  and  first  among 
them  his  own  mother,  Agave,  blinded  by  the  god,  cried  out, 
"  See  there  the  wild  boar,  the  hugest  monster  that  prowls 
in  these  woods  !  Come  on,  sisters !  I  will  be  the  first  to 
strike  the  wild  boar."  The  whole  band  rushed  upon  him, 
and  while  he  now  talks  less  arrogantly,  now  excuses  him- 
self, and  now  confesses  his  crime  and  implores  pardon, 
they  press  upon  and  wound  him.  In  vain  he  cries  to  his 
aunts  to  protect  him  from  his  mother.  Autonoe  seized  one 
arm,  Ino  the  other,  and  between  them  he  was  torn  to 
pieces,  while  his  mother  shouted,  "  Victory  !  Victory ! 
we  have  done  it ;  the  glory  is  ours  ! " 

So  the  worship  of  Bacchus  was  estabhshed  in  Greece. 

There  is  an  allusion  to  the  story  of  Bacchus  and  the 
mariners  in  Milton's  Comus,  at  line  46.  The  story  of 
Circe  will  be  found  in  Chapter  XXIX. 

"  Bacchus  that  first  from  out  the  purple  grape 
Crushed  the  sweet  poison  of  misused  wine, 
After  the  Tuscan  mariners  transformed, 
Coasting  the  Tyrrhene  shore  as  the  winds  listed 
On  Circe's  island  fell ;  (who  knows  not  Circe, 
The  daughter  of  the  Sun  ?  whose  charmed  cup 
Whoever  tasted  lost  his  upright  shape, 
And  downward  fell  into  a  grovelling  swine.)" 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES.  '2i7 


ARIADNE. 

We  liave  seen  in  the  stoty  of  Theseus  how  Ai'iadne, 
the  daughter  of  King  Minos,  after  helping  Theseus  to 
escape  from  the  labyrinth,  was  carried  by  him  to  the 
island  of  Naxos  and  was  left  there  asleep,  while  the  un- 
grateful Theseus  pursued  his  way  home  without  her. 
Ariadne  on  waking  and  finding  herself  deserted  aban- 
doned herself  to  grief.  But  Venus  took  pity  on  her, 
and  consoled  her  with  the  promise  that  she  should 
have  an  immortal  lover,  instead  of  the  mortal  one  she 
had  lost. 

The  island  where  Ariadne  was  left  was  the  favorite 
island  of  Bacchus,  the  same  that  he  wished  the  Tyrrhe- 
nian mariners  to  carry  him  to,  when  they  so  treacherously 
attempted  to  make  prize  of  him.  As  Ariadne  sat  lament- 
ing her  fate,  Bacchus  found  her,  consoled  her  and  made 
her  his  wife.  As  a  marriage  present  he  gave  her  a  golden 
crown,  enriched  with  gems,  and  when  she  died,  he  took 
her  crown  and  threw  it  up  into  the  sky.  As  it  mounted 
the  gems  grew  brighter  and  were  turned  into  stars,  and 
preserving  its  form  Ariadne's  crown  remains  fixed  in  the 
heavens  as  a  constellation,  between  the  kneeling  Hercules 
and  the  man  who  holds  the  serpent. 

Spenser  alludes  to  Ariadne's  crown,  though  he  has  made 
some  mistakes  in  his  mythology.  It  was  at  the  wedding 
of  Pirithous,  and  not  Theseus,  that  the  Centaurs  and  La- 
pithae  quarrelled. 

"  Look  how  the  crown  which  Ariadne  wore 
Upon  her  ivory  forehead  that  same  day 


^28  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

That  Thoseus  her  unto  his  bridal  bore, 
When  the  bold  Centaurs  made  that  bloody  fray 
"With  the  fierce  Lapiths  which-did  them  dismay  ; 
Being  now  placed  in  the  firmament, 
Through  the  bright  heaven  doth  her  beams  display, 
And  is  unto  the  stars  an  ornament, 
Which  roxmd  about  her  move  in  order  excellent." 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  229 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

TUE  RUliAL  DEITIES  — ERISICIITHON  —  RHCECUS  — 
THE  WATER  DEITIES  —  CAMENiE  —  WINDS. 

THE  RUEAL  DEITIES. 

Pan,  the  god  of  woods  and  fields,  of  flocks  and  shep- 
herds, dwelt  in  grottos,  wandered  on  the  mountains  and  in 
valleys,  and  amused  himself  with  the  chase  or  in  leading 
the  dances  of  the  nymphs.  He  was  fond  of  music,  and, 
as  we  have  seen,  the  inventor  of  the  syrinx,  or  shepherd's 
pipe,  which  he  himself  played  in  a  masterly  manner. 
Pan,  like  other  gods  who  dwelt  in  forests,  was  dreaded  by 
those  whose  occupations  caused  them  to  pass  through  the 
woods  by  night,  for  the  gloom  and  loneliness  of  such  scenes 
dispose  the  mind  to  superstitious  fears.  Hence  sudden 
fright  without  any  visible  cause  was  ascribed  to  Pan,  and 
called  a  Panic  terror. 

As  the  name  of  the  god  signifies  all,  Pan  came  to  be 
considered  a  symbol  of  the  unive:*se  and  personification  of 
Nature  ;  and  later  still  to  be  regarded  as  a  representative 
of  all  the  gods  and  of  heathenism  itself. 

Sylvanus  and  Faunus  were  Latin  divinities,  whose  char- 
acteristics are  so  nearly  the  same  as  those  of  Pan  that  we 
may  safely  consider  them  as  but  different  names  of  the 
same  personage. 

The  wood-nymphs,  Pan's  partners  in  the  dance,  were 
but  one  class  of  nymphs.  There  were  beside  them  the 
20 


230  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

Naiads,  who  presided  over  brooks  and  fountains,  the  Oreads, 
nymphs  of  mountains  and  grottos,  and  the  Nereids,  sea- 
nymphs.  The  three  last  named  were  immortal,  but  the 
wood-nymphs,  called  Dryads  or  Hamadryads,  were  be- 
lieved to  perish  with  the  trees  which  had  been  their  abode, 
and  with  which  they  had  come  into  existence.  It  was 
therefore  an  impious  act  wantonly  to  destroy  a  tree,  and 
in  some  agravated  cases  was  severely  punished,  as  in  the 
instance  of  Erisichthon,  which  we  are  about  to  record. 

Milton,  in  his  glowing  description  of  the  early  creation, 
thus  alludes  to  Pan  as  the  personification  of  Nature :  — 

"  Universal  Pan, 
Knit  with  the  Graces  and  the  Hours  in  dance, 
Led  on  the  eternal  spring." 

And  describing  Eve's  abode  :  — 

"  In  shadier  bower, 
More  sacred  or  sequestered,  though  but  feigned, 
Pan  or  Sylvanus  never  slept,  nor  Nymph 
Nor  Faunus  haunted." 

Paradise  Lost,  B.  IV. 

It  was  a  pleasing  trait  in  the  old  Paganism  that  it  loved 
to  trace  in  every  operation  of  nature  the  agency  of  deity. 
The  imagination  of  the  Greeks  peopled  all  the  regions  of 
earth  and  sea  with  divinities,  to  whose  agency  it  attributed 
those  phenomena  which  our  philosophy  ascribes  to  the 
operation  of  the  laws  of  nature.  Sometimes  in  our  poet- 
ical moods  we  feel  disposed  to  regret  the  change,  and  to 
think  that  the  heart  has  lost  as  much  as  the  head  has 
gained  by  the  substitution.  The  poet  Wordsworth  thus 
strongly  expresses  this  sentiment :  — 

"  Great  God,  I'd  rather  be 
A  Pagan,  suckled  in  a  creed  outworn. 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  231 

So  might  I,  standing  on  this  pleasant  lea, 
Have  glimpses  that  would  make  me  less  forlorn  ; 
Have  sight  of  Proteus  rising  from  the  sea, 
And  hear  old  Triton  blow  his  wreathed  horn." 

Schiller,  in  his  poem  Die  Gotter  Griechenlands,  ex- 
presses liis  regret  for  the  overthrow  of  the  beautiful  my- 
thology of  ancient  times  in  a  way  which  has  called  forth 
an  answer  from  a  Christian  poet,  Mrs.  E.  Barrett  Brown- 
ing, in  her  poem  called  The  Dead  Pan.  The  two  fol- 
lowing verses  are  a  specimen  :  — 

"  By  your  beauty  which  confesses 
Some  chief  Beauty  conquering  you, 
By  our  grand  heroic  guesses 
Through  your  falsehood  at  the  True, 
We  will  weep  iiot !  earth  shall  roll 
Heir  to  each  god's  aureole, 

And  Pan  is  dead. 

"Earth  outgrows  the  mythic  fancies 
Sung  beside  her  in  her  youth ; 
And  those  debonaire  romances 
Sound  but  dull  beside  the  truth. 
Phoebus'  chariot  course  is  run ! 
Look  up,  poets,  to  the  sun  ! 

Pan,  Pan  is  dead." 

These  lines  are  founded  on  an  early  Christian  tradition 
that  when  the  heavenly  host  told  the  shepherds  at  Beth- 
lehem of  the  birth  of  Christ,  a  deep  groan,  heard  through 
all  the  isles  of  Greece,  told  that  the  great  Pan  was  dead, 
and  that  all  the  royalty  of  Olympus  was  dethroned,  and 
the  several  deities  were  sent  wandering  in  cold  and  dark- 
ness.    So  Milton  in  his  Hymn  to  the  Nativity :  — 

"  The  lonely  mountains  o'er, 
And  the  resounding  shore, 

A  voice  of  weeping  heard  and  loud  lament ; 


232 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROKS. 


From  haunted  spring  and  dale, 
Edged  with  poplar  pale, 

The  parting  Genius  is  with  sighing  sent ; 
With  fiower-enwoven  tresses  torn, 
The  nymphs  in  twilight  shade  of  tangled  thickets  motirn.' 


Erisichthon. 


ERISICHTHON. 


Erisichthon  was  a  profane  person  and  a  despiser  of  the 
gods.  On  one  occasion  he  presumed  to  violate  with  the 
axe  a  grove  sacred  to  Ceres.  There  stood  in  this  grove  a 
venerable  oak,  so  large  that  it  seemed  a  wood  in  itself,  its 
ancient  trunk  towering  aloft,  whereon  votive  garlands  were 
often  hung  and  inscriptions  carved  expressing  the  grati- 
tude of  suppliants  to  the  nymph  of  the  tree.     Often  had 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    UEROES.  233 

the  Dryads  danced  round  it  hand  in  hand.  Its  trunk 
measured  fifteen  cubits  round,  and  it  overtopped  the  other 
trees  as  they  overtopped  the  shrubbery.  But  for  all  that, 
Erisichthon  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  spare  it,  and  he 
ordered  his  servants  to  cut  it  down.  When  he  saw  them 
hesitate,  he  snatched  an  axe  from  one,  and  thus  impiously 
exclaimed :  "  I  care  not  whether  it  be  a  tree  beloved  of 
the  goddess  or  not ;  were  it  the  goddess  herself  it  should 
come  down,  if  it  stood  in  my  way."  So  saying  he  lifted 
the  axe,  and  the  oak  seemed  to  shudder  and  utter  a  groan. 
When  the  first  blow  fell  upon  the  trunk,  blood  flowed  from 
the  wound.  All  the  bystanders  were  horror-struck,  and 
one  of  them  ventured  to  remonstrate  and  hold  back  the 
fatal  axe.  Erisichthon,  with  a  scornful  look,  said  to  him, 
"  Receive  the  reward  of  your  piety  ;  "  and  turned  against 
him  the  weapon  which  he  had  held  aside  from  the  tree, 
gashed  his  body  with  many  wounds  and  cut  off  liis  head. 
Then  from  the  midst  of  the  oak  came  a  voice,  "  I  who 
dwell  in  this  tree  am  a  nymph  beloved  of  Ceres,  and 
dying  by  your  hands,  forewarn  you  that  punishment  awaits 
you."  He  desisted  not  from  his  crime,  and  at  last  the  tree, 
sundered  by  repeated  blows  and  drawn  by  ropes,  fell 
with  a  crash,  and  prostrated  a  great  part  of  the  grove  in 
its  fall. 

The  Dryads  in  dismay  at  the  loss  of  their  companion, 
and  at  seeing  the  pride  of  the  forest  laid  low,  went  in  a 
body  to  Ceres,  all  clad  in  garments  of  mourning,  and  in- 
voked punishment  upon  Erisichthon.  She  nodded  her 
assent,  and  as  she  bowed  her  head  the  grain  ripe  for  har- 
vest in  the  laden  fields  bowed  also.  She  planned  a  pun- 
iishment  so  dire  that  one  would  pity  him,  if  such  a  culprit 
as  he  could  be  pitied,  —  to  deliver  him  over  to  Famine.  As 
Ceres  herself  could  not  approach  Famine,  for  the  Fates 


234  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

have  ordained  that  these  two  goddesses  shall  never  come 
together,  she  called  an  Oread  from  her  mountain  and 
spoke  to  her  in  these  words :  "  There  is  a  place  in  the 
farthest  part  of  ice-clad  Scythia,  a  sad  and  sterile  region 
without  trees  and  without  crops.  Cold  dwells  there,  and 
Fear,  and  Shuddering,  and  Famine.  Go  and  tell  the  last 
to  take  possession  of  the  bowels  of  Erisichthon.  Let  not 
abundance  subdue  her,  nor  the  power  of  my  gifts  drive 
her  away.  Be  not  alarmed  at  the  distance,"  (for  Famine 
dwells  very  far  from  Ceres,)  "  but  take  my  chariot.  The 
dragons  are  fleet  and  obey  the  rein,  and  will  take  you 
through  the  air  in  a  short  time."  So  she  gave  her  the 
reins,  and  she  drove  away  and  soon  reached  Scythia.  On 
arriving  at  Mount  Caucasus  she  stopped  the  dragons  and 
found  Famine  in  a  stony  field,  pulling  up  with  teeth  and 
claws  the  scanty  herbage.  Her  hair  was  rough,  her  eyes 
sunk,  her  face  pale,  her  lips  blanched,  her  jaws  covered 
with  dust,  and  her  skin  drawn  tight,  so  as  to  show  all  her 
bones.  As  the  Oread  saw  her  afar  off,  (for  she  did  not 
dare  to  come  near,)  she  delivered  the  commands  of  Ceres ; 
and,  though  she  stopped  as  short  a  time  as  possible,  and 
kept  her  distance  as  well  as  she  could,  yet  she  began  to 
feel  hungry,  and  turned  the  dragons'  heads  and  drove  back 
to  Thessaly. 

Famine  obeyed  the  commands  of  Ceres  and  sped  through 
the  air  to  the  dwelling  of  Erisichthon,  entered  the  bed- 
chamber of  the  guilty  man,  and  found  him  asleep.  She 
enfolded  him  with  her  wings  and  breathed  herself  into 
him,  infusing  her  poison  into  his  veins.  Having  dis- 
charged her  task,  she  hastened  to  leave  the  land  of  plenty 
and  returned  to  her  accustomed  haunts.  Erisichthon  stiU 
slept,  and  in  his  dreams  craved  food,  and  moved  his  jaws 
as  if  eating.     When  he  awoke  his  hunger  -was  raging. 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  235 

Without  a  moment's  delay  he  would  have  food  set  before 
him,  of  whatever  kind  earth,  sea  or  air  produces  ;  and 
complained  of  hunger  even  while  he  ate.  What  would 
have  sufficed  for  a  city  or  a  nation,  was  not  enough  for 
him.  The  more  he  ate  the  more  he  craved.  His  hunger 
was  like  the  sea,  which  receives  all  the  rivers,  yet  is  never 
filled ;  or  like  fire  that  burns  all  the  fuel  that  is  heaped 
upon  it,  yet  is  still  voracious  for  more. 

His  property  rapidly  diminished  under  the  unceasing 
demands  of  his  appetite,  but  his  hunger  continued  unabat- 
ed. At  length  he  had  spent  all,  and  had  only  his  daughter 
left,  a  daughter  worthy  of  a  better  parent.  Her  too  he  sold. 
She  scorned  to  be  the  slave  of  a  purchaser,  and  as  she 
stood  by  the  sea  side,  raised  her  hands  in  prayer  to  Nep- 
tune. He  heard  her  prayer,  and,  though  her  new  master 
was  not  far  off,  and  had  his  eye  upon  her  a  moment  before, 
Neptune  changed  her  form,  and  made  her  assume  that  of 
a  fisherman  busy  at  his  occupation.  Her  master,  looking 
for  her  and  seeing  her  in  her  altered  form,  addressed  her 
and  said,  "  Good  fisherman,  whither  went  the  maiden 
whom  I  saw  just  now,  with  hair  dishevelled  and  in  hum- 
ble garb,  standing  about  where  you  stand  ?  Tell  me  truly; 
so  may  your  luck  be  good,  and  not  a  fish  nibble  at  your 
hook  and  get  away."  She  perceived  that  her  prayer 
was  answered,  and  rejoiced  inwardly  at  hearing  herself 
inquired  of  about  herself.  She  replied,  "Pardon  me, 
stranger,  but  I  have  been  so  intent  upon  my  line,  that  I 
have  seen  nothing  else ;  but  I  wish  I  may  never  catch 
another  fish  if  I  believe  any  woman  or  other  person  ex- 
cept myself  to  have  been  hereabouts  for  some  time."  He 
was  deceived  and  went  his  way,  thinking  his  slave  had 
escaped.  Then  she  resumed  her  own  form.  Her  father 
was  well  pleased  to  find  her  still  with  him,  and  the  money 


236  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

too  that  he  got  by  the  sale  of  her ;  so  he  sold  her  again. 
But  she  was  changed  by  the  favor  of  Neptune  as  often  as 
she  was  sold,  now  into  a  horse,  now  a  bird,  now  an  ox,  and 
now  a  stag, — got  away  from  her  purchasers  and  came 
home.  By  this  base  method  the  starving  father  procured 
food ;  but  not  enough  for  his  wants,  and  at  last  hunger 
compelled  him  to  devour  his  limbs,  and  he  strove  to  nour- 
ish his  body  by  eating  his  body,  till  death  relieved  him 
from  the  vengeance  of  Ceres. 

EHCECUS. 

The  Hamadryads  could  appreciate  services  as  well  as 
punish  injuries.  The  story  of  Rhcecus  proves  this.  Rhoe- 
cus,  happening  to  see  an  oak  just  ready  to  fall,  ordered  his 
servants  to  prop  it  up.  The  nymph,  who  had  been  on  the 
point  of  perishing  with  the  tree,  came  and  expressed  her 
gratitude  to  him  for  having  saved  her  life,  and  bade  him 
ask  what  reward  he  would.  Ehoecus  boldly  asked  her 
love,  and  the  nymph  yielded  to  his  desire.  She  at  the 
same  time  charged  him  to  be  constant,  and  told  him  that 
a  bee  should  be  her  messenger,  and  let  him  know  when 
she  would  admit  his  society.  One  time  the  bee  came  to 
Rhoecus  when  he  was  playing  at  draughts,  and  he  care- 
lessly brushed  it  away.  This  so  incensed  the  nymph  that 
she  deprived  him  of  sight. 

Our  countryman  J.  R.  Lowell  has  taken  this  story  for 
the  subject  of  one  of  his  shorter  poems.  He  introduces 
it  thus  :  — 

"  Hear  now  this  fairy  legend  of  old  Greece, 
As  full  of  freedom,  youth  and  heauty  still. 
As  the  immortal  freshness  of  that  grace 
Carved  for  all  ages  on  some  Attic  frieze." 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  237 


THE  WATER    DEITIES. 

Oceanus  and  Tethys  were  the  Titans  who  ruled  over 
the  watery  element.  When  Jove  and  his  brothers  over- 
threw the  Titans  and  assumed  their  power,  Neptune  and 
Araphitrite  succeeded  to  the  dominion  of  the  waters  in 
place  of  Oceanus  and  Tethys. 


NEPTUNE 

Neptune  was  the  chief  of  the  water  deities.  The  sym- 
bol of  his  power  was  the  trident,  or  spear  with  three 
points,  with  which  he  used  to  shatter  rocks,  to  call  forth 
or  subdue  storms,  to  shake  the  shores,  and  the  like.  He 
created  the  horse  and  was  the  patron  of  horse  races. 
His  own  horses  had  brazen  hoofs  and  golden  manes.  They 
drew  his  chariot  over  the  sea,  which  became  smooth  before 
him,  while  the  monsters  of  the  deep  gambolled  about  his 
path. 

AMPHITRITE. 

Amphitrite  was  the  wife  of  Neptune.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Nereus  and  Doris,  and  the  mother  of  Triton. 
Neptune,  to  pay  his  court  to  Amphitrite,  came  riding  on  a 
dolphin.  Having  won  her,  he  rewarded  the  dolphin  by 
placing  him  among  the  stars. 


NEREUS   AND    DORIS. 

Nereus  and  Doris  were  the  parents  of  the  Nereids,  the 
lost  celebrated  of  whom  were  Araphitrite,  Thetis,  the 


238  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

mother  of  Achilles,  and  Galatea,  who  was  loved  by  the 
Cyclops  Polyphemus.  Nereus  was  distinguished  for  his 
knowledge  and  his  love  of  truth  and  justice,  whence  he 
was  termed  an  elder ;  the  gift  of  prophecy  was  also  as- 
signed to  him. 

TRITON   AND    PROTEUS. 

Triton  was  the  son  of  Neptune  and  Amphitrite,  and 
the  poets  make  him  his  father's  trumpeter.  Proteus  was 
also  a  son  of  Neptune.  He,  like  Nereus,  is  styled  a  sea- 
elder  for  his  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  future  events. 
His  peculiar  power  was  that  of  changing  his  shape  at  will. 


THETIS. 

Thetis,  the  daughter  of  Nereus  and  Doris,  was  so  beau- 
tiful that  Jupiter  himself  sought  her  in  marriage ;  but 
having  learned  from  Prometheus  the  Titan,  that  Thetis 
should  bear  a  son  who  should  be  greater  than  his  father, 
Jupiter  desisted  from  his  suit  and  decreed  that  Thetis 
should  be  the  wife  of  a  mortal.  By  the  aid  of  Chiron 
the  Centaur,  Peleus  succeeded  in  winning  the  goddess  for 
his  bride,  and  their  son  was  the  renowned  Achilles.  In 
our  chapter  on  the  Trojan  war  it  will  appear  that  Thetis 
was  a  faithful  mother  to  him,  aiding  him  in  all  dif&culties, 
and  watching  over  his  interests  from  the  first  to  the  last. 


LEUCOTHEA   AND    PAL^MON. 

Ino,  the  daughter  of   Cadmus  and  wife  of  Athamas, 
flying  from  her  frantic  husband  with  her  little  son  Meli- 


8T0KIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  239 

certcs  in  her  arms,  sprang  from  a  cliff  into  the  sea.  The 
gods,  out  of  compassion,  made  her  a  goddess  of  the  sea, 
under  the  name  of  Leucothea,  and  him  a  god  under  that 
of  Palaimon.  Both  were  held  powerful  to  save  from  ship- 
wi-eck  and  were  invoked  by  sailors.  Pala^mon  was  usu- 
ally represented  riding  on  a  dolphin.  The  Isthmian  games 
were  celebrated  in  his  honor.  He  was  called  Portunus 
by  the  Romans,  and  believed  to  have  jurisdiction  of  the 
ports  and  shores. 

Milton  alludes  to  all  these  deities  in  the  song  at  the  con- 
clusion of  Comus. 

"  Sabrina  fair, 
Listen  and  appear  to  us, 
In  name  of  great  Oceanus  ; 
By  the  earth-shaking  Neptune's  mace, 
And  Tethys'  grave,  majestic  pace, 
By  hoary  Nereus'  wrinkled  look, 
And  the  Carpathian  wizard's  hook,* 
By  scaly  Triton's  winding  shell. 
And  old  soothsaying  Glaucus'  spell, 
By  Leucothca's  lovely  hands. 
And  her  son  who  rules  the  strands. 
By  Thetis'  tinsel-slippered  feet, 
And  the  songs  of  Sirens  sweet ;  "  &c. 

Armstrong,  the  poet  of  the  Art  of  preserving  Health, 
under  the  inspiration  of  Hygeia,  the  goddess  of  health, 
thus  celebrates  the  Naiads.  Pajon  is  a  name  both  of 
Apollo  and  ^sculapius. 

"  Come,  ye  Naiads  !  to  the  fountains  lead  ! 
Propitious  maids  !  the  task  remains  to  sing 
Your  gifts,  (so  Pajon,  so  the  powers  of  Health 
Command,)  to  praise  your  crystal  element. 
0  comfortable  streams  !  with  eager  lips 

•  Proteus. 


240  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

And  trembling  hands  the  languid  thirsty  quaff 
New  life  in  you ;  fresh  vigor  fills  their  veins. 
No  warmer  cups  the  rural  ages  knew, 
None  warmer  sought  the  sires  of  humankind ; 
Happy  in  temperate  peace  their  equal  days 
Felt  not  the  alternate  fits  of  feverish  mirth 
And  sick  dejection  ;  still  serene  and  pleased, 
Blessed  with  divine  immunity  from  ills, 
Long  centuries  they  lived  ;  their  only  fate 
Was  ripe  old  age,  and  rather  sleep  than  death." 


THE    CAMEN^. 

By  this  name  the  Latins  designated  the  Muses,  but  in- 
cluded under  it  also  some  other  deities,  principally  nymphs 
of  fountains.  Egeria  was  one  of  them,  whose  fountain 
and  grotto  are  still  shown.  It  was  said  that  Numa,  the 
second  king  of  Rome,  was  favored  by  this  nymph  with 
secret  interviews,  in  which  she  taught  him  those  lessons  of 
wisdom  and  of  law  which  he  imbodied  in  the  institutions 
of  his  rising  nation.  After  the  death  of  Numa  the  nymph 
pined  away  and  was  changed  into  a  fountain. 

Byron  in  Childe  Harold,  Canto  IV.,  thus  alludes  to 
Egeria  and  her  grotto :  — 

•'  Here  didst  thou  dwell,  in  this  enchanted  cover, 
Egeria  !  all  thy  heavenly  bosom  beating 
For  the  far  footsteps  of  thy  mortal  lover  ; 
The  purple  midnight  veiled  that  mystic  meeting 
With  her  most  starry  canopy  ;  "  &c. 

Tennyson,  also,  in  his  Palace  of  Art,  gives  us  a  glimpse 
of  the  royal  lover  expecting  the  interview. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    UEROES.  241 

"  Holding  one  hand  against  liis  ear, 
To  list  a  footfall  ore  he  saw 
The  wood-nymph,  stayed  the  Tuscan  king  to  hear 
Of  wisdom  and  of  law." 


THE    WINDS. 

When  so  many  less  active  agencies  were  personified,  it 
is  not  to  be  su^jposed  that  the  winds  failed  to  be  so.  They 
were  Boreas  or  Aquilo,  the  north  wind,  Zephyrus  or  Fa- 
vonius,  the  west,  Notus  or  Auster,  the  south,  and  Eurus, 
the  eafit.  The  first  two  have  been  chiefly  celebrated  by 
the  poets,  the  former  as  the  type  of  rudeness,  the  latter 
of  gentleness.  Boreas  loved  the  nymph  Orithyia,  and 
tried  to  play  the  lover's  part,  but  met  with  poor  success. 
It  was  hard  for  him  to'  breathe  gently,  and  sighing  was  out 
of  the  question.  Weary  at  last  of  fruitless  endeavors,  he 
acted  out  his  true  character,  seized  the  maiden  and  carried 
her  oif.  Their  children  were  Zetes  and  Calais,  winged 
warriors,  who  accompanied  the  Argonautic  expedition,  and 
did  good  service  in  an  encounter  with  those  monstrous 
birds  the  Harpies. 

Zephyrus  was  the  lover  of  Flora.  Milton  alludes  to 
them  in  Paradise  Lost,  where  he  describes  Adam  waking 
and  contemplating  Eve  still  asleep. 

"  He  on  his  side 
Leaning  half  raised,  with  looks  of  cordial  love, 
Hung  over  her  enamored,  and  beheld 
Beauty  which,  whether  waking  or  asleep. 
Shot  forth  peculiar  graces  ;  then  with  voice. 
Mild  as  when  Zepliyrus  on  Flora  breathes. 
Her  hand  soft  touching,  whispered  thus :  '  Awake ! 
21 


242  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

My  fairest,  my  espoused,  my  latest  found. 
Heaven's  last,  best  gift,  my  ever-new  delight.' " 

Dr.  Young,  the  poet  of  the  Night  Thoughts,  addressing 
the  idle  and  luxurious,  says, — 

"  Ye  delicate !  who  nothing  can  support, 
(Yourselves  most  insupportable,)  for  whom 
The  winter  rose  must  blow,        *        * 
*        ♦        ♦        *        and  silky  soft 
Favonius  breathe  still  softer  or  be  chid ! " 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEnOES.  243 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

ACHELOUS    AND    HERCULES  —  ADMETUS    AND    AL- 
CESTIS  —  ANTIGONE  —  PENELOPE. 

ACHELOUS  AND   HERCULES. 

The  river-god  Acheloiis  told  the  story  of  Erisichthon 
to  Theseus  and  his  companions,  whom  he  was  entertaining 
at  his  hospitable  board,  while  they  were  delayed  on  their 
journey  by  the  overflow  of  his  waters.  Having  finished 
his  story  he  added,  "  But  why  should  I  tell  of  other  per- 
sons' transformations,  when  I  myself  am  an  instance  of 
the  possession  of  this  power.  Sometimes  I  become  a  ser- 
pent, and  sometimes  a  bull,  with  horns  on  my  head.  Or 
I  should  say,  I  once  could  do  so ;  but  now  I  have  but  one 
horn,  having  lost  one."  And  here  he  groaned  and  was 
silent. 

Theseus  asked  him  the  cause  of  his  grief,  and  how  he 
lost  his  horn.  To  which  question  the  river-god  replied  as 
follows :  "  Who  likes  to  tell  of  his  defeats  ?  Yet  I  will 
not  hesitate  to  relate  mine,  comforting  myself  with  the 
thought  of  the  greatness  of  my  conqueror,  for  it  was  Her- 
cules. Perhaps  you  have  heard  of  the  fame  of  Dejanira, 
the  fairest  of  maidens,  whom  a  host  of  suitors  strove  to 
win.  Hercules  and  myself  were  of  the  number,  and  the 
rest  yielded  to  us  two.  He  urged  in  his  behalf  his  de- 
scent from  Jove,  and  his  labors  by  which  he  had  exceeded 
the  exactions  of  Juno,  his  step-mother.     I,  on  the  other 


244  SToniEs  op  gods  and  hkroks. 

hand,  said  to  the  father  of  the  maiden,  '  Behold  me,  the 
king  of  the  waters  that  flow  through  your  land.  I  am  no 
stranger  from  a  foreign  shore,  but  belong  to  the  countiy,  a 
part  of  your  realm.  Let  it  not  stand  in  my  way  that 
royal  Juno  owes  me  no  enmity,  nor  punishes  me  with 
heavy  tasks.  As  for  this  man,  who  boasts  himself  the  son 
of  Jove,  it  is  either  a  false  pretence,  or  disgraceful  to  him 
if  true,  for  it  cannot  be  true  except  by  his  mother's  shame.' 
As  I  said  this  Hercules  scowled  upon  me,  and  with  diffi- 
culty restrained  his  rage.  '  My  hand  will  answer  better 
than  my  tongue,'  said  he.  '  I  yield  you  the  victory  in 
words,  but  trust  my  cause  to  the  strife  of  deeds.'  With 
that  he  advanced  towards  me,  and  I  was  ashamed,  after 
what  I  had  said,  to  yield.  I  threw  off  my  green  vesture, 
and  presented  myself  for  the  struggle.  He  tried  to  throw 
me,  now  attacking  my  head,  now  my  body.  My  bulk 
was  my  protection,  and  he  assailed  me  in  vain.  For 
a  time  we  stopped,  then  returned  to  the  conflict.  We 
each  kept  our  position,  determined  not  to  yield,  foot  to 
foot,  I  bending  over  him,  clinching  his  hands  in  mine,  with 
my  forehead  almost  touching  his.  Thrice  Hercules  tried 
to  throw  me  off",  and  the  fourth  time  he  succeeded,  brought 
me  to  the  ground  and  himself  upon  my  back.  I  tell  you 
the  truth,  it  was  as  if  a  mountain  had  fallen  on  me.  I 
struggled  to  get  my  arms  at  liberty,  panting  and  reeking 
with  perspiration.  He  gave  me  no  chance  to  recover,  but 
seized  my  throat.  My  knees  were  on  the  earth  and  my 
mouth  in  the  dust. 

"  Finding  that  I  was  no  match  for  him  in  the  warrior's 
art,  I  resorted  to  others,  and  glided  away  in  the  form  of  a 
serpent.  I  curled  my  body  in  a  coil,  and  hissed  at  him 
with  my  forked  tongue.  He  smiled  scornfully  at  this,  and 
said, '  It  was  the  labor  of  my  infancy  to  conquer  snakes.' 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  245 

So  saying  he  clasped  my  neck  with  his  hands.  I  was 
almost  choked,  and  struggled  to  get  my  neck  out  of  his 
grasp.  Vanquished  in  this  form,  I  tried  what  alone  re- 
mained to  me,  and  assumed  the  form  of  a  bull.  He 
grasped  my  neck  with  his  arm,  and  dragging  my  head 
down  to  the  ground,  overthrew  me  on  the  sand.  Nor  was 
this  enough.  His  ruthless  hand  rent  my  horn  from  my 
head.  The  Naiades  took  it,  consecrated  it,  and  filled  it 
with  fragrant  flowers.  Plenty  adopted  my  horn  and  made 
it  her  own,  and  called  it  Cornucopia." 

The  ancients  were  fond  of  finding  a  hidden  meaning  in 
their  mythological  tales.  They  explain  this  fight  of 
Achelous  with  Hercules  by  saying,  Achelous  was  a  river 
that  in  seasons  of  rain  overflowed  its  banks.  When  the 
fable  says  that  Achelous  loved  Dejanira,  and  sought  a 
union  with  her,  the  meaning  is,  that  the  river  in  its  wind- 
ings flowed  through  part  of  Dejanira's  kingdom.  It  was 
said  to  take  the  form  of  a  snake  because  of  its  winding, 
and  of  a  bull  because  it  made  a  brawling  or  roaring  in  its 
course.  "When  the  river  swelled,  it  made  itself  another 
channel.  Thus  its  head  was  horned.  Hercules  prevented 
the  return  of  these  periodical  overflows,  by  embankments 
and  canals  ;  and  therefore  he  was  said  to  have  vanquished 
the  river-god  and  cut  off  his  horn.  Finally,  the  lands 
formerly  subject  to  overflow,  but  now  redeemed,  became 
very  fertile,  and  this  is  meant  by  the  horn  of  plenty. 

There  is  another  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Cornuco- 
pia. Jupiter  at  his  birth  was  committed  by  his  mother 
Rhea  to  the  care  of  the  daughters  of  Melisseus,  a  Cretan 
king.  They  fed  the  infant  deity  with  the  milk  of  the  goat 
Amalthea.  Jupiter  broke  off  one  of  the  horns  of  the 
goat  and  gave  it  to  his  nurses,  and  endowed  it  with  the 
21* 


246 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES. 


■wonderful  power  of  becoming  filled  with  whatever  the  pos- 
sessor might  wish. 

The  name  of  Amalthea  is  also  given  by  some  writers  to 
the  mother  of  Bacchus.  It  is  thus  used  by  Milton,  P.  L., 
Book  IV.:  — 

"  —  That  Nyseian  isle, 
Girt  with  the  river  Triton,  where  old  Cham, 
Whom  Gentiles  Ammon  call,  and  Libyan  Jove, 
Hid  Amalthea  and  her  florid  son. 
Young  Bacchus,  from  his  stepdame  Rhea's  eye." 


Apollo  keeping  the  flocks  of  Admetas. 


ADMETUS   AND    ALCESTIS. 


-ffisculapius,  the  son  of  Apollo,  was  endowed  by  his 
father  with  such  skill  in  the  healing  art  that  he  even  re- 
stored the  dead  to  life.     At  this  Pluto  took  alarm,  and 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEUOES.  247 

prevailed  on  Jupiter  to  launch  a  thunderbolt  at  JEscula- 
pius.  Apollo  was  indignant  at  the  destruction  of  his  son, 
and  wreaked  his  vengeance  on  the  innocent  workmen  who 
had  made  the  thunderbolt.  These  were  the  Cyclopes,  who 
have  their  workshop  under  Mount  ^tna,  from  which  the 
smoke  and  flames  of  their  furnaces  are  constantly  issuing. 
Apollo  shot  his  arrows  at  the  Cyclopes,  which  so  incensed 
Jupiter  that  he  condemned  him  as  a  punishment  to  become 
the  servant  of  a  mortal  for  the  space  of  one  year.  Ac- 
cordingly Apollo  went  into  the  service  of  Admetus,  king 
of  Thessaly,  and  pastured  his  flocks  for  him  on  the  ver- 
dant banks  of  the  river  Amphrysos. 

Admetus  was  a  suitor,  with  others,  for  the  hand  of  Al- 
cestis,  the  daughter  of  Pelias,  who  promised  her  to  him 
who  should  come  for  her  in  a  chariot  drawn  by  lions  and 
boars.  This  task  Admetus  performed  by  the  assistance 
of  his  divine  herdsman,  and  was  made  happy  in  the  pos- 
session of  Alcestis.  But  Admetus  fell  ill,  and  being  near 
to  death,  Apollo  prevailed  on  the  Fates  to  spare  him  on 
condition  that  some  one  would  consent  to  die  in  his  stead. 
Admetus  in  his  joy  at  this  reprieve,  thought  little  of  the 
ransom,  and  perhaps  remembering  the  declarations  of  at- 
tachment which  he  had  often  heard  from  his  courtiers  and 
dependents,  fancied  that  it  would  be  easy  to  find  a  substi- 
tute. But  it  was  not  so.  Brave  warriors,  who  would 
willingly  have  perilled  their  lives  for  their  prince,  shrunk 
from  the  thought  of  dying  for  him  on  the  bed  of  sickness ; 
and  old  servants  who  had  experienced  his  bounty  and  that 
of  his  house  from  their  childhood  up,  were  not  willing  to 
lay  down  the  scanty  remnant  of  their  days  to  show  their 
gratitude.  Men  asked,  —  "  Why  does  not  one  of  his  pa- 
rents do  it  ?  They  cannot  in  the  course  of  nature  live  much 
longer,  and  who  can  feel  like  them  the  call  to  rescue  the 


248  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

life  they  gave,  from  an  untimely  end  ?  "  But  the  parents, 
distressed  though  they  were  at  the  thought  of  losing  him, 
shrunk  from  the  call.  Then  Alcestis,  with  a  generous 
self-devotion,  proffered  herself  as  the  substitute.  Adme- 
tus,  fond  as  he  was  of  life,  would  not  have  submitted  to 
receive  it  at  such  a  cost ;  but  there  was  no  remedy.  The 
condition  imposed  by  the  Fates  had  been  met,  and  the 
decree  was  irrevocable.  Alcestis  sickened  as  Admetus 
revived,  and  she  was  rapidly  sinking  to  the  grave. 

Just  at  this  time  Hercules  arrived  at  the  palace  of  Ad- 
metus, and  found  all  the  inmates  in  great  distress  for  the 
impending  loss  of  the  devoted  wife  and  beloved  mistress. 
Hercules,  to  whom  no  labor  was  too  arduous,  resolved  to 
attempt  her  rescue.  He  w^ent  and  lay  in  wait  at  the  door 
of  the  chamber  of  the  dying  queen,  and  when  Death  came 
for  his  prey,  he  seized  him  and  forced  him  to  resign  his 
victim.  Alcestis  recovered,  and  was  restored  to  her  hus- 
band. 

Milton  alludes  to  the  story  of  Alcestis  in  his  Sonnet 
"  on  his  deceased  wife." 

"  Mcthought  I  saw  my  late  espoused  saint 

Brought  to  me  like  Alcestis  from  the  grave, 
Whom  Jove's  great  son  to  her  glad  husband  gave, 
Rescued  from  death  by  force,  though  pale  and  faint." 

J.  R.  Lowell  has  chosen  the  "  Shepherd  of  King  Ad- 
metus "  for  the  subject  of  a  short  poem.  He  makes  that 
event  the  first  introduction  of  poetry  to  men. 

"  Men  called  him  but  a  shiftless  youth, 
In  whom  no  good  they  saw, 
And  yet  unwittingly,  in  truth. 
They  made  his  careless  words  their  law. 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES.  249 

"  And  day  by  day  more  holy  grew 
Each  spot  where  he  had  trod, 
Till  after-poets  only  knew 
Their  first-bom  brother  was  a  god." 


ANTIGONE. 

A  large  proportion,  both  of  the  interesting  persons  and 
of  the  exalted  acts  of  legendary  Greece  belongs  to  the 
female  sex.  Antigone  was  as  bright  an  example  of  filial 
and  sisterly  fidelity  as  was  Alcestis  of  connubial  devotion. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  CEdipus  and  Jocasta,  who  with 
all  their  descendants  were  the  victims  of  an  unrelenting 
fate,  dooming  them  to  destruction.  Oedipus  in  his  mad- 
ness had  torn  out  his  eyes,  and  was  driven  forth  from  his 
kingdom  Thebes,  dreaded  and  abandoned  by  all  men,  as 
an  object  of  divine  vengeance.  Antigone,  his  daughter, 
alone  shared  his  wanderings  and  remained  with  him  till 
he  died,  and  then  returned  to  Thebes. 

Her  brothers,  Eteocles  and  Polynices,  had  agreed  to 
share  the  kingdom  between  them,  and  reign  alternately 
year  by  year.  The  first  year  fell  to  the  lot  of  Eteocles, 
who,  when  his  time  expired,  refused  to  surrender  the 
kingdom  to  his  brother.  Polynices  fled  to  Adrastus  king 
of  Argos,  who  gave  him  his  daughter  in  marriage,  and 
aided  him  with  an  army  to  enforce  his  claim  to  the  king- 
dom. This  led  to  the  celebrated  expedition  of  the  "  Seven 
against  Thebes,"  which  furnished  ample  materials  for  the 
epic  and  tragic  poets  of  Greece. 

Amphiaraus,  the  brother-in-law  of  Adrastus,  opposed 
the  enterprise,  for  he  was  a  soothsayer,  and  knew  by  his 
art  that  no  one  of  tlie  leaders  except  Adrastus  would  live 
to  return.     But  Amphiaraus,  on  his  marriage  to  Eriphyle, . 


250  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

the  king's  sister,  had  agreed  that  whenever  he  and  Adras- 
tus  should  differ  in  opinion,  the  decision  should  be  left  to 
Eriphyle.  Polynices,  knowing  this,  gave  Eriphyle  the 
coUar  of  Harmonia,  and  thereby  gained  her  to  his  inter- 
est. This  collar  or  necklace  was  a  present  which  Vulcan 
had  given  to  Harmonia  on  her  marriage  with  Cadmus, 
and  Polynices  had  taken  it  with  him  on  his  flight  from 
Thebes.  Eriphyle  could  not  resist  so  tempting  a  bribe, 
and  by  her  decision  the  war  was  resolved  on,  and  Amphi- 
araus  went  to  his  certain  fate.  He  bore  his  part  bravely 
in  the  contest,  but  could  not  avert  his  destiny.  Pursued 
by  the  enemy  he  fled  along  the  river,  when  a  thunderbolt 
launched  by  Jupiter  opened  the  ground,  and  he,  his  char- 
iot and  his  charioteer  were  swallowed  up. 

It  would  not  be  in  place  here  to  detail  all  the  acts  of 
heroism  or  atrocity  which  marked  the  contest ;  but  we 
must  not  omit  to  record  the  fidelity  of  Evadne  as  an  off- 
set to  the  weakness  of  Eriphyle.  Capaneus,  the  husband 
of  Evadne,  in  the  ardor  of  the  fight  declared  that  he 
would  force  his  way  into  the  city  in  spite  of  Jove  himself. 
Placing  a  ladder  against  the  wall  he  mounted,  but  Jupiter, 
offended  at  his  impious  language  struck  him  with  a  thun- 
derbolt. Wlien  his  obsequies  were  celebrated,  Evadne 
cast  herself  on  his  funeral  pile  and  perished. 

Early  in  the  contest  Eteocles  consulted  the  soothsayer 
Tiresias  as  to  the  issue.  Tiresias  in  his  youth  had  by 
chance  seen  Minerva  bathing.  The  goddess  in  her  wrath 
deprived  him  of  his  sight,  but  afterwards  relenting  gave 
him  in  compensation  the  knowledge  of  future  events. 
When  consulted  by  Eteocles,  he  declared  that  victory 
should  fall  to  Thebes  if  Menoeceus  the  son  of  Creon  gave 
himself  a  voluntary  victim.  The  heroic  youth  learning 
.  the  response  threw  away  his  life  in  the  first  encounter. 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES.  251 

The  siege  continued  long,  with  various  success.  At 
length  both  hosts  agreed  that  the  brothers  should  decide 
their  quarrel  by  single  combat.  They  fought  and  fell  by 
each  other's  hands.  The  armies  then  renewed  the  fight, 
and  at  last  the  invaders  were  forced  to  yield,  and  fled, 
leaving  their  dead  unburied.  Creon,  the  uncle  of  the 
fallen  princes,  now  become  king,  caused  Eteocles  to  be 
buried  with  distinguished  honor,  but  suffered  the  body  of 
Polynices  to  lie  where  it  fell,  forbidding  every  one  on  pain 
of  death  to  give  it  burial. 

Antigone,  the  sister  of  Polynices,  heard  with  indigna- 
tion the  revolting  edict  which  consigned  her  brother's  body 
to  the  dogs  and  vultures,  depriving  it  of  those  rites  which 
were  considered  essential  to  the  repose  of  the  dead.  Un- 
moved by  the  dissuading  counsel  of  an  affectionate  but 
timid  sister,  and  unable  to  procure  assistance,  she  deter- 
mined to  brave  the  hazard  and  to  bury  the  body  with  her 
own  hands.  She  was  detected  in  the  act,  and  Creon  gave 
orders  that  she  should  be  buried  alive,  as  having  deliber- 
ately set  at  nought  the  solemn  edict  of  the  city.  Her 
lover,  Haemon,  the  son  of  Creon,  unable  to  avert  her  fate, 
would  not  survive  her,  and  fell  by  his  own  hand. 

Antigone  forms  the  subject  of  two  fine  tragedies  of  the 
Grecian  poet  Sophocles.  Mrs.  Jameson,  in  her  Charac- 
teristics of  Women,  has  compared  her  character  with  that 
of  Cordelia,  in  Shakspeare's  King  Lear.  The  perusal  of 
her  remarks  cannot  fail  to  gratify  our  readers. 

The  following  is  the  lamentation  of  Antigone  over 
CEdipus,  when  death  has  at  last  relieved  him  from  his 
sufferings :  — 

"  Alas  !  I  only  wished  I  misht  have  died 
With  my  poor  father ;  wherefore  should  I  ask 


252  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

For  longer  life  ? 

O,  I  was  fond  of  misery  with  him ; 

E'en  what  was  most  unlovely  grew  beloved 

When  he  was  mth  me.     O  my  dearest  father, 

Beneath  the  earth  now  in  deep  darkness  hid, 

Worn  as  thou  wert  with  age,  to  me  thou  still 

Wast  dear,  and  shalt  be  ever." 

FrancMin'a  Sophocles. 

PENELOPE. 

Penelope  is  another  of  those  mythic  heroines  whoso 
beauties  were  rather  those  of  character  and  conduct  than 
of  person.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Icarius,  a  Spartan 
prince.  Ulysses,  king  of  Ithaca,  sought  her  in  marriage, 
and  won  her,  over  all  competitors.  When  the  moment 
came  for  the  bride  to  leave  her  father's  house,  Ica- 
rius, unable  to  bear  the  thoughts  of  parting  with  his 
daughter,  tried  to  persuade  her  to  remain  with  him,  and 
not  accompany  her  husband  to  Ithaca.  Ulysses  gave  Pe- 
nelope her  choice,  to  stay  or  go  with  him.  Penelope  made 
no  reply,  but  dropped  her  veil  over  her  face.  Icarius 
urged  her  no  further,  but  when  she  was  gone  erected  a 
statue  to  Modesty  on  the  spot  where  they  parted. 

Ulysses  and  Penelope  had  not  enjoyed  their  union 
more  than  a  year  when  it  was  interrupted  by  the  events 
which  called  Ulysses  to  the  Trojan  war.  During  his  long 
absence,  and  when  it  was  doubtful  whether  he  still  lived, 
and  highly  improbable  that  he  would  ever  return,  Penel- 
ope was  importuned  by  numerous  suitors,  from  whom 
there  seemed  no  refuge  but  in  choosing  one  of  them  for 
her  husband.  Penelope,  however,  employed  every  art 
to  gain  time,  still  hoping  for  Ulysses'  return.  One  of 
her  arts  of  delay  was  engaging  in  the  preparation  of  a 
robe  for  the  funeral  canopy  of   Laertes,  her  husband's 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  253 

father.  She  pledged  herself  to  make  her  choice  among 
the  suitors  when  the  robe  was  finished.  During  the  day 
she  worked  at  the  robe,  but  in  the  night  she  undid  the 
work  of  the  day.  This  is  the  famous  Penelope's  web, 
which  is  used  as  a  proverbial  expression  for  any  thing 
which  is  perpetually  doing  but  never  done.  The  rest  of 
Penelope's  histoiy  will  be  told  when  we  give  an  account 
of  her  husband's  adventures. 
22 


254 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    IlEUOES. 


Orpheus. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

ORPHEUS   AND    EURYDICE  —  ARIST^US  —  AMPHION 
—  LINUS  —  TIIAMYRIS  —  MARSYAS  —  MELAMPUS  — 

MUSiEUS. 


ORPHEUS  AND    EURYDICE. 

Orpheus  was  the  son  of  Apollo  and  the  Muse  Calliope. 
He  was  presented  by  his  fathei*  with  a  Lyre  and  taught  to 
play  upon  it,  which  he  did  to  such  perfection  that  nothing 
could  withstand  the  charm  of  his  music.  Not  only  his 
fellow-mortals  but  wild  beasts  were  softened  by  his  strains, 


STORIES    OP    OODS    AND    ITKROKS.  255 

and  gathering  round  him  laid  by  their  fierceness,  and 
stood  entranced  with  his  lay.  Nay,  the  very  trees  and 
rocks  were  sensible  to  the  charm.  The  former  crowded 
round  him  and  tlie  latter  relaxed  somewhat  of  their  hard- 
ness, softened  by  his  notes. 

Hymen  had  been  called  to  bless  with  his  presence  the 
nuptials  of  Orpheus  with  Eurydice ;  but  though  he  at- 
tended, he  brought  no  happy  omens  with  him.  His  very 
torch  smoked  and  brought  tears  into  their  eyes.  In  coin- 
cidence with  such  prognostics  Eurydice,  shortly  after  her 
marriage,while  wandering  with  the  nymphs, her  companions, 
was  seen  by  the  shepherd  Aristoeus,  who  was  struck  with 
her  beauty,  and  made  advances  to  her.  She  fled,  and  in 
flying  trod  upon  a  snake  in  the  grass,  was  bitten  in  the 
foot  and  died.  Orpheus  sang  his  grief  to  all  who  breathed 
the  upper  air,  both  gods  and  men,  and  finding  it  all  un- 
availing resolved  to  seek  his  wife  in  the  regions  of  the 
dead.  He  descended  by  a  cave  situated  on  the  side  of 
the  promontory  of  Ta;narus  and  arrived  at  the  Stygian 
realm.  He  passed  through  crowds  of  ghosts  and  present- 
ed himself  before  the  throne  of  Pluto  and  Proserpine. 
Accompanying  the  words  with  the  lyre,  he  sung,  "  O  dei- 
ties of  the  under  world,  to  whom  all  we  who  live  must 
come,  hear  ray  words,  for  they  are  true.  I  come  not  to 
spy  out  the  secrets  of  Tartarus,  nor  to  try  my  strength 
against  the  three-headed  dog  with  snaky  hair  who  guards 
the  entrance.  I  come  to  seek  my  wife,  whose  opening 
years  the  poisonous  viper's  fang  has  brought  to  an  untime- 
ly end.  Love  has  led  me  here.  Love,  a  god  all  powerful 
with  us  who  dwell  on  the  earth,  and,  if  old  traditions  say 
true,  not  less  so  here.  I  implore  you  by  these  abodes  full 
of  terror,  these  realms  of  silence  and  uncreated  things, 
unite  again  the  thread  of  Eurydice's  life.     "We  all  are 


256  STORIKS    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

destined  to  you,  and  sooner  or  later  must  pass  to  your  do- 
main. She  too,  when  she  shall  have  filled  her  term  of 
life,  will  rightly  be  yours.  But  till  then  grant  her  to  me, 
I  beseech  you.  If  you  deny  me,  I  cannot  return  alone ; 
you  shall  triumph  in  the  death  of  us  both." 

As  he  sang  these  tender  strains,  the  very  ghosts  shed 
tears.  Tantalus,  in  spite  of  his  thirst,  stopped  for  a  mo- 
ment his  efforts  for  water,  Ixion's  wheel  stood  still,  the 
vulture  ceased  to  tear  the  giant's  liver,  the  daughters  of 
Danaiis  rested  from  their  task  of  drawing  water  in  a 
sieve,  and  Sisyphus  sat  on  his  rock  to  listen.  Then  foi 
the  first  time,  it  is  said,  the  cheeks  of  the  Furies  were  wet 
with  tears.  Proserpine  could  not  resist,  and  Pluto  himself 
gave  way.  Eurydice  was  called.  She  came  from  among 
the  new-arrived  ghosts,  limping  with  her  wounded  foot. 
Orpheus  was  permitted  to  take  her  away  with  him  on  one 
condition,  that  he  should  not  turn  round  to  look  at  her  till 
they  should  have  reached  the  upper  air.  Under  this  con- 
dition they  proceeded  on  their  way,  he  leading,  she  fol- 
lowing, through  passages  dark  and  steep,  in  total  silence, 
till  they  had  nearly  reached  the  outlet  into  the  cheerful 
upper  world,  when  Orpheus,  in  a  moment  of  forgetfulness, 
to  assure  himself  that  she  was  still  following,  cast  a  glance 
behind  him,  when  instantly  she  was  borne  away.  Stretch- 
ing out  their  arms  to  embrace  one  another  they  grasped 
only  the  air !  Dying  now  a  second  time  she  yet  cannot 
reproach  lier  husband,  for  how  can  she  blame  his  impa- 
tience to  behold  her  !  "  Farewell,"  she  said,  "  a  last  fare- 
well," —  and  was  hurried  away,  so  fast  that  the  sound 
hardly  reached  his  ears. 

Orpheus  endeavored  to  follow  her,  and  besought  per- 
mission to  return  and  try  once  more  for  her  release  ;  but 
the  stern  ferryman  repulsed  him  and   refused   passage. 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  257 

Seven  days  he  lingered  about  the  brink,  without  food  or 
sleep ;  then  bitterly  accusing  of  cruelty  the  powers  of 
Erebus,  he  sang  his  complaints  to  the  rocks  and  mountains, 
melting  the  hearts  of  tigers  and  moving  the  oaks  from 
their  stations.  He  held  himself  aloof  from  womankind, 
dwelling  constantly  on  the  recollection  of  his  sad  mis- 
chance. The  Thracian  maidens  tried  their  best  to  capti- 
vate him,  but  he  repulsed  their  advances.  They  bore 
with  him  as  long  as  they  could  ;  but  finding  him  insensible, 
one  day,  excited  by  the  rites  of  Bacchus,  one  of  them 
exclaimed,  "  See  yonder  our  despiser ! "  and  threw  at 
him  her  javelin.  Tlie  weapon,  as  soon  as  it  came  within 
the  sound  of  his  lyre,  fell  harmless  at  his  feet.  So  did 
also  the  stones  that  they  threw  at  him.  But  the  women 
raised  a  scream  and  drowned  the  voice  of  the  music,  and 
then  the  missiles  reached  him  and  soon  were  stained  with 
his  blood.  The  maniacs  tore  him  limb  from  limb,  and 
threw  his  head  and  his  lyre  into  the  river  Hebrus,  down 
which  they  floated,  murmuring  sad  music,  to  which  the 
sliores  resjx)nded  a  plaintive  symphony.  The  Muses 
gathered  up  the  fragments  of  his  body  and  buried  them 
at  Libethra,  where  the  nightingale  is  said  to  sing  over  his 
grave  more  sweetly  than  in  any  other  part  of  Greece. 
His  lyre  was  placed  by  Jupiter  among  the  stars.  His 
shade  passed  a  second  time  to  Tartarus,  where  he  sought 
out  his  Eurydice  and  embraced  her,  with  eager  arms. 
They  roam  the  happy  fields  together  now,  sometimes  ho 
leading,  sometimes  she  ;  and  Orpheus  gazes  as  much  as 
he  will  upon  her,  no  longer  incurring  a  penalty  for  a 
thoughtless  glance. 

The  story  of  Orpheus  has  furnished  Pope  with  an  illus- 
tration of  the  power  of  music,  for  his  Ode  for  St.  Cecilia's 
22* 


258  STOKIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

Day.    The  following  stanza  relates  the  conclusion  of 
the  story :  — 

"  But  soon,  too  soon  the  lover  turns  his  eyes ; 
Again  she  falls,  again  she  dies,  she  dies  ! 
How  wilt  thou  now  the  fatal  sisters  move  '! 
No  crime  was  thine,  if  'tis  no  crime  to  love. 
Now  under  hanging  mountains, 
Beside  the  falls  of  fountains. 
Or  where  Hebrus  wanders. 
Rolling  in  meanders. 
All  alone. 

He  makes  his  moan. 
And  calls  her  ghost, 
Forever,  ever,  ever  lost ! 
Now  with  furies  surrounded. 
Despairing,  confounded. 
He  trembles,  he  glows. 
Amidst  Rhodope's  snows. 
See,  wild  as  the  winds  o'er  the  desert  he  flies ; 
Hark !  Hsemus  resounds  with  the  Bacchanals'  cries. 

Ah,  see,  he  dies  ! 
Yet  even  in  death  Eurydice  he  sung, 
Eurydice  still  trembled  on  his  tongue : 
Eurydice  the  woods 
Eurydice  the  floods 
Eurydice  the  rocks  and  hollow  mountains  rung." 

The  superior  melody  of  the  nightingale's  song  over 
the  grave  of  Orpheus  is  alluded  to  by  Southey  in  hla 
Thalaba:  — 

"  Then  on  his  ear  what  sounds 

Of  harmony  arose ! 

Far  music  and  the  distance-mellowed  song 

From  bowers  of  merriment ; 

The  waterfall  remote ; 

The  murmuring  of  the  leafy  groves ; 

The  single  nightingale 

Perched  in  the  rosier  by,  so  richly  toned, 

That  never  from  that  most  melodious  bird 


I 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND   HEROES.  259 

Singing  a  love  song  to  his  brooding  mate, 

Did  Thracian  shepherd  by  the  grave 

Of  Orpheus  hear  a  sweeter  melody, 

Though  there  the  spirit  of  the  sepulchre 

All  his  own  power  infuse,  to  swell 

The  incense  that  he  loves." 


AEISTiEUS,  THE  BEE-KEEPER. 

Man  avails  himself  of  the  instincts  of  the  inferior  ani- 
mals for  his  own  advantage.  Hence  sprang  the  art  of 
keeping  bees.  Honey  must  first  have  been  known  as  a 
wild  product,  the  bees  building  their  structures  in  hollow 
trees  or  holes  in  the  rocks,  or  any  similar  cavity  that 
chance  offered.  Thus  occasionally  the  carcass  of  a  dead 
animal  would  be  occupied  by  the  bees  for  that  purpose. 
It  was  no  doubt  from  some  such  incident  that  the  supersti- 
tion arose  that  the  bees  were  engendered  by  the  decaying 
flesh  of  the  animal ;  and  Virgil,  in  the  following  story, 
shows  how  this  supposed  fact  may  be  turned  to  account  for 
renewing  the  swarm  when  it  has  been  lost  by  disease  or 
accident. 

Aristajus,  who  first  taught  the  management  of  bees, 
was  the  son  of  the  water-nymph  Cyrene.  His  bees  had 
perished,  and  he  resorted  for  aid  to  his  mother.  He 
stood  at  the  river  side  and  thus  addressed  her :  "  O  moth- 
er, the  pride  of  my  life  is  taken  from  me !  I  have  lost 
my  precious  bees.  My  care  and  skill  have  availed  me 
nothing,  and  you  my  mother  have  not  warded  off  from  me 
the  blow  of  misfortune."  His  mother  heard  these  com- 
plaints as  she  sat  in  her  palace  at  the  bottom  of  the  river, 
with  her  attendant  nymphs  around  her.  They  were  en- 
gaged in  female  occupations,  spinning  and  weaving,  while 


260  STORIES    OP   GOI>S    AND    HEROES. 

one  told  stories  to  amuse  the  rest.  The  sad  voice  of  Aris- 
tieus  interrupting  their  occupation,  one  of  them  put  her 
head  above  the  water  and  seeing  him,  returned  and  gave 
information  to  his  mother,  who  ordered  that  he  should  be 
brought  into  her  presence.  The  river  at  her  command 
opened  itself  and  let  him  pass  in,  while  it  stood  curled 
like  a  mountain  on  either  side.  He  descended  to  the  re- 
gion where  the  fountains  of  the  great  rivers  lie ;  he  saw 
the  enormous  receptacles  of  waters  and  was  almost  deaf- 
ened with  the  roar,  while  he  surveyed  them  hurrying  off 
in  various  directions  to  water  the  face  of  the  earth.  Ar- 
riving at  his  mother's  apartment  he  was  hospitably  re- 
ceived by  Cyrene  and  her  nymphs,  who  spread  tlieir  table 
with  the  richest  dainties.  They  first  poured  out  libations 
to  Neptune,  then  regaled  themselves  with  the  feast,  and 
after  that  Cyrene  thus  addressed  him  :  "  There  is  an  old 
prophet  named  Proteus,  who  dwells  in  the  sea  and  is  a 
favorite  of  Neptune  whose  herd  of  sea-calves  he  pastures. 
We  nymphs  hold  him  in  great  respect,  for  he  is  a  learned 
sage  and  knows  all  things,  past,  present,  and  to  come.  He 
can  tell  you,  my  son,  the  cause  of  the  mortality  among 
your  bees,  and  how  you  may  remedy  it.  But  he  will  not 
do  it  voluntarily,  however  you  may  entreat  him.  You 
must  compel  him  by  force.  If  you  seize  him  and  chain 
him,  he  will  answer  your  questions  in  order  to  get  released, 
for  he  cannot  by  all  his  arts  get  away  if  you  hold  fast  the 
chains.  I  will  carry  you  to  his  cave,  where  he  comes  at 
noon  to  take  his  midday  repose.  Then  you  may  easily 
secure  him.  But  when  he  finds  himself  captured,  his  re- 
sort is  to  a  power  he  possesses  of  changing  himself  into 
various  forms.  He  will  become  a  wild  boar  or  a  fierce 
tiger,  a  scaly  dragon  or  lion  with  yellow  mane.  Or  he 
will  make  a  noise  like  the  crackling  of  flames  or  the  rush 


I 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND   HEROES.  261 

of  water,  so  as  to  tempt  you  to  let  go  the  chain,  when  he 
will  make  his  escape.  But  you  have  only  to  keep  him 
fast  bound,  and  at  last  when  he  finds  all  his  arts  unavail- 
ing, he  will  return  to  his  own  figure  and  obey  your  com- 
mands." So  saying  she  sprinkled  her  son  with  fragrant 
nectar,  the  beverage  of  the  gods,  and  immediately  an  un- 
usual vigor  filled  his  frame  and  courage  his  heart,  while 
perfume  breathed  all  around  him. 

The  nymph  led  her  son  to  the  prophet's  cave  and  con- 
cealed him  among  the  recesses  of  the  rocks,  while  she 
herself  took  her  place  behind  the  clouds.  When  noon 
came  and  the  hour  when  men  and  herds  retreat  from  the 
glaring  sun  to  indulge  in  quiet  slumber,  Proteus  issued 
from  tlie  water,  followed  by  his  herd  of  sea-calves  which 
spread  themselves  along  the  shore.  He  sat  on  the  rock 
and  counted  his  herd  ;  then  stretched  himself  on  the  floor 
of  the  cave  and  went  to  sleep.  Aristseus  hardly  allowed 
him  to  get  fairly  asleep  before  he  fixed  the  fetters  on  him 
and  shouted  aloud.  Proteus  waking  and  finding  himself 
captured  immediately  resorted  to  his  arts,  becoming  first  a 
fire,  then  a  flood,  then  a  horrible  wild  beast,  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. But  finding  all  would  not  do,  he  at  last  resumed 
his  own  form  and  addressed  the  youth  in  angry  accents : 
"  Who  are  you,  bold  youth,  who  thus  invade  my  abode, 
and  what  do  you  want  with  me  ? "  Aristgeus  replied, 
"  Proteus,  you  know  already,  for  it  is  needless  for  any  one 
to  attempt  to  deceive  you.  And  do  you  also  cease  your 
efforts  to  elude  me.  I  am  led  hither  by  divine  assistance, 
to  know  from  you  the  cause  of  my  misfortune  and  how  to 
remedy  it."  At  these  words  the  prophet  fixing  on  him 
his  gray  eyes,  with  a  piercing  look,  thus  spoke :  "  You 
receive  the  merited  reward  of  your  deeds,  by  which  Eury- 
dice  met  her  death,  for  in  flying  from  you  she  trod  upon  a 


262  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

serpent,  of  whose  bite  she  died.  To  avenge  her  death, 
the  nymphs  her  companions  have  sent  this  destruction  to 
your  bees.  You  have  to  appease  their  anger,  and  thus  it 
must  be  done  :  Select  four  bulls,  of  perfect  form  and  size, 
and  four  cows  of  equal  beauty,  build  four  altars  to  the 
nymphs,  and  sacrifice  the  animals,  leaving  their  carcasses 
in  the  leafy  grove.  To  Orpheus  and  Eurydice  you  shall 
pay  such  funeral  honors  as  may  allay  their  resentment. 
Returning  after  nine  days  you  will  examine  the  bodies  of 
the  cattle  slain  and  see  what  will  befall."  Arista;us  faith- 
fully obeyed  these  directions.  He  sacrificed  the  cattle, 
he  left  their  bodies  in  the  grove,  he  offered  funeral  honors 
to  the  shades  of  Orpheus  and  Eurydice ;  then  returning 
on  the  ninth  day  he  examined  the  bodies  of  the  animals, 
and,  wonderful  to  relate !  a  swarm  of  bees  had  taken  pos- 
session of  one  of  the  carcasses  and  were  pursuing  their 
labors  there  as  in  a  hive. 

In  the  Task,  Cowper  alludes  to  the  story  of  Arista3us, 
when  speaking  of  the  ice-palace  built  by  the  Empress 
Anne  of  Russia.  He  has  been  describing  the  fantas- 
tic forms  which  ice  assumes  in  connection  with  water- 
falls, &c. :  — 

"  Less  worthy  of  applause  though  more  admired 
Because  a  novelty,  the  jrork  of  man, 
Imperial  mistress  of  the  fur-clad  Russ, 
Thy  most  mappiificent  and  mighty  freak. 
The  wonder  of  the  north.    No  forest  fell 
When  thou  wouldst  build,  no  quarry  sent  its  stores 
T'enrich  thy  walls ;  but  thou  didst  hew  the  floods 
And  make  thy  marble  of  the  glassy  wave. 
In  such  a  palace  Aristmus  found 
Cyrene,  when  he  bore  the  plaintive  tale 
Of  his  lost  bees  to  her  maternal  ear." 


STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES.  263 

Milton  also  appears  to  have  had  Cyrene  and  her  domes- 
tic scene  in  his  mind  when  he  describes  to  us  Sabrina,  the 
nymph  of  the  river  Severn,  in  the  Guardian-spirit's  Song 
in  Comus :  — 

"  Sabrina  fair ! 
Listen  where  thou  art  sitting 
Under  the  glassy,  cool,  translucent  wave 

In  twisted  braids  of  lilies  knitting 
The  loose  train  of  thy  amber-dropping  hair  ; 
Listen  for  dear  honor's  sake, 
Goddess  of  the  silver  lake ! 
Listen  and  save." 

The  following  are  other  celebrated  mythical  poets  and 
musicians,  some  of  whom  were  hardly  inferior  to  Orpheus 
himself:  — 

AMPHION. 

Amphion  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Antiope,  queen 
of  Thebes.  "With  his  twin  brother  Zethus  he  was  exposed 
at  birth  on  Mount  Cithaeron,  where  they  grew  up  among 
the  shepherds,  not  knowing  their  parentage.  Mercury 
gave  Amphion  a  lyre  and  taught  him  to  play  upon  it,  and 
his  brother  occupied  himself  in  hunting  and  tending  the 
flocks.  Meanwhile  Antiope,  their  mother,  who  had  been 
treated  with  great  cruelty  by  Lycus,  the  usurping  king  of 
Thebes,  and  by  Dirce,  his  wife,  found  means  to  inform  her 
children  of  their  rights  and  to  summon  them  to  her  as- 
sistance. With  a  band  of  their  fellow-herdsmen  they  at- 
tacked and  slew  Lycus,  and  tying  Dirce  by  the  hair  of 
her  head  to  a  bull,  let  him  drag  her  till  she  was  dead.* 


*  The  punishment  of  Dirce  is  the  subject  of  a  celebrated  group  of 
statuary  now  in  the  Museum  at  Naples. 


264  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

Amphion  having  become  king  of  Thebes  fortified  the  city 
with  a  wall.  It  is  said  that  when  he  played  on  his  lyre 
the  stones  moved  of  their  own  accord  and  took  their  places 
in  the  wall. 

See  Tennyson's  poem  of  Amphion  for  an  amusing  use 
made  of  this  story. 

LINUS. 

Linus  was  the  instructor  of  Hercules  in  music,  but  hav- 
ing one  day  reproved  his  pupil  rather  harshly,  he  roused 
the  anger  of  Hercules,  who  struck  him  with  his  lyre  and 
kiUed  him. 

THAMYRIS. 

An  ancient  Thracian  bard,  who  in  his  presumption 
challenged  the  Muses  to  a  trial  of  skill,  and  being  over- 
come in  the  contest  was  deprived  by  them  of  his  sight. 
Milton  alludes  to  him  with  other  blind  bards,  when  speak- 
ing of  his  own  blindness,  P.  L.  Book  III.  35. 


MARSYAS. 

Minerva  invented  the  flute,  and  played  upon  it  to  the 
delight  of  all  the  celestial  auditors ;  but  the  mischievous 
urchin  Cupid  having  dared  to  laugh  at  the  queer  face 
which  the  goddess  made  while  playing,  Minerva  threw  the 
instrument  indignantly  away,  and  it  fell  down  to  earth,  and 
was  found  by  Marsyas.  He  blew  upon  it,  and  drew  from 
it  such  ravishing  sounds  that  he  was  tempted  to  challenge 
Apollo  himself  to  a  musical  contest.  The  god  of  course 
triumphed,  and  punished  Marsyas  by  flaying  him  alive. 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  265 


MELAMPUS. 

Melampus  was  the  first  moilal  endowed  with  prophetic 
powers.  Before  his  house  there  stood  an  oak  tree  con- 
taining a  serpent's  nest.  The  old  serpents  were  killed  by 
the  servants,  but  Melampus  took  care  of  the  young  ones 
and  fed  them  carefully.  One  day  when  he  was  asleep 
under  the  oak,  the  serpents  licked  his  ears  with  their 
tongues.  On  awaking  he  was  astonished  to  find  that  he 
now  understood  the  language  of  birds  and  creeping  things. 
This  knowledge  enabled  him  to  foretell  future  events,  and 
he  became  a  renowned  soothsayer.  At  one  time  his  ene- 
mies took  him  captive  and  kept  him  strictly  imprisoned. 
Melampus  in  the  silence  of  the  night  heard  the  wood- 
worms in  the  timbers  talking  together,  and  found  out  by 
what  they  said  that  the  timbers  were  nearly  eaten  through 
and  the  roof  would  soon  fall  in.  He  told  his  captors  and 
demanded  to  be  let  out,  warning  them  also.  They  took 
his  warning,  and  thus  escaped  destruction,  and  rewarded 
Melampus  and  held  him  in  high  honor. 

MUS-EUS. 

A  semi-mythological  personage  who  was  represented  by 
one  tradition  to  be  the  son  of  Orpheus.  He  is  said  to 
have  written  sacred  poems  and  oracles.  Milton  couples 
his  name  with  that  of  Orpheus  in  his  II  Penseroso  :  — 

"  But  O,  sad  virgin,  that  thy  power 
Might  raise  Musecus  from  his  bower, 
Or  bid  the  soul  of  Orpheus  sing 
Such  notes  as  warbled  to  the  string, 
Drew  iron  tears  down  Pluto's  cheek, 
And  made  Hell  grant  what  love  did  seek." 
23 


266  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

ARION  —  IBYCUS  —  SIMONIDES  —  SAPPHO. 

The  poets  whose  adventures  compose  this  chapter  were 
real  persons  some  of  whose  works  yet  remain,  and  their 
influence  on  poets  who  succeeded  them  is  yet  more  impor- 
tant than  their  poetical  remains.  The  adventures  recorded 
of  them  in  the  following  stories  rest  on  the  same  authority 
as  other  narratives  of  the  Age  of  Fable,  that  is,  of  the 
poets  who  have  told  them.  In  their  present  form,  the  first 
two  are  translated  from  the  German,  Arion  from  Schlegel 
and  Ibycus  from  Schiller. 

ARION. 

Arion  was  a  famous  musician,  and  dwelt  at  the  court  of 
Periander,  king  of  Corinth,  with  whom  he  was  a  great 
favorite.  There  was  to  be  a  musical  contest  in  Sicily,  and 
Arion  longed  to  compete  for  the  prize.  He  told  his  wish 
to  Periander,  who  besought  liim  like  a  brother  to  give  up 
the  thought.  "  Pray  stay  with  me,"  he  said, "  and  be  con- 
tented. He  who  strives  to  win  may  lose."  Arion  an- 
swered, "  A  wandering  life  best  suits  the  free  heart  of  a 
poet.  The  talent  which  a  god  bestowed  on  rae,  I  would 
fain  make  a  source  of  pleasure  to  others.  And  if  I  win 
the  prize,  how  wiU  the  enjoyment  of  it  be  increased  by 
the  consciousness  of  my  wide-spread  fame  ! "     He  went, 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEUOES.  267 

won  the  prize,  and  embarked  with  his  wealth  in  a  Corin- 
thian ship  for  home.  On  the  second  morning  after  setting 
sail,  the  wind  breathed  mild  and  fair,  *'  O  Periander," 
he  exclaimed,  "  dismiss  your  fears !  Soon  shall  you  for- 
get them  in  my  embrace.  With  what  lavish  offerings  will 
we  display  our  gratitude  to  the  gods,  and  how  merry  will 
we  be  at  the  festal  board ! "  The  wind  and  sea  continued 
propitious.  Not  a  cloud  dimmed  the  firmament.  He  had 
not  trusted  too  much  to  the  ocean,  —  but  he  had  to  man. 
He  overheard  the  seamen  exchanging  hints  with  one  an- 
other, and  found  they  were  plotting  to  possess  themselves 
of  his  ti'casure.  Presently  they  surrounded  him  loud  and 
mutinous,  and  said,  "  Arion,  you  must  die !  If  you  would 
have  a  grave  on  shore,  yield  yourself  to  die  on  this  spot ; 
but  if  otherwise,  cast  yourself  into  the  sea."  "  Will  noth- 
ing satisfy  you  but  my  life  ?  "  said  he.  "  Take  my  gold, 
and  welcome.  I  willingly  buy  my  life  at  that  price." 
"  No,  no ;  we  cannot  spare  you.  Your  life  would  be  too 
dangerous  to  us.  Where  could  we  go  to  escape  from  Pe- 
riander, if  he  should  know  that  you  had  been  robbed  by 
us  ?  Your  gold  would  be  of  little  use  to  us,  if,  on  return- 
ing home,  we  could  never  more  be  free  from  fear." 
"  Grant  me,  then,"  said  he,  "  a  last  request,  since  nought 
will  avail  to  save  my  life,  that  I  may  die  as  I  have  lived, 
as  becomes  a  bard.  When  I  shall  have  sung  my  death 
song,  and  my  harp-strings  shall  have  ceased  to  vibrate, 
then  I  will  bid  farewell  to  life,  and  yield  uncomplaining  to 
my  fate."  This  prayer,  like  the  otliers,  would  have  been 
unheeded,  —  they  thought  only  of  their  booty,  —  but  to 
hear  so  famous  a  musician,  that  moved  their  rude  hearts. 
"  Suffer  me,"  he  added,  "  to  arrange  my  dress.  Apollo 
will  not  favor  me  unless  I  be  clad  in  my  minstrel  garb." 
He  clothed  his  well-proportioned  limbs  in  gold  and  pur- 


268  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

pie  fair  to  see,  liis  tunic  fell  around  him  in  graceful  folds, 
jewels  adorned  his  arms,  his  brow  was  crowned  with  a 
golden  wreath,  and  over  his  neck  and  shoulders  flowed  his 
hair  perfumed  with  odors.  His  left  hand  held  the  lyre, 
his  right  the  ivory  wand  with  which  he  struck  its  chords. 
Like  one  inspired,  he  seemed  to  drink  the  morning  air 
and  glitter  in  the  morning  ray.  The  seamen  gazed  with 
admiration.  He  strode  forward  to  the  vessel's  side  and 
looked  down  into  the  blue  sea.  Addressing  his  lyre,  he 
sang,  "  Companion  of  my  voice,  come  with  me  to  the 
realm  of  shades.  Though  Cerberus  may  growl,  we  know 
the  power  of  song  can  tame  his  rage.  Ye  heroes  of  Elys- 
ium, who  have  passed  the  darkling  flood,  —  ye  happy  souls, 
soon  shall  I  join  your  band.  Yet  can  ye  relieve  my  grief? 
Alas,  I  leave  my  friend  behind  me.  Thou,  who  didst  find 
thy  Eurydice,  and  lose  her  again  as  soon  as  found;  when 
she  had  vanished  like  a  dream,  how  didst  thou  hate  the 
cheerful  light !  I  must  away,  but  I  will  not  fear.  The 
gods  look  down  upon  us.  Ye  who  slay  me  unoffending, 
when  I  am  no  more,  your  time  of  trembling  shall  come. 
Ye  Nereids,  receive  your  guest,  who  throws  himself  upon 
your  mercy  ! "  So  saying,  he  sprang  into  the  deep  sea. 
The  waves  covered  him,  and  the  seamen  held  on  their  way, 
fancying  themselves  safe  from  all  danger  of  detection. 

But  the  strains  of  his  music  had  drawn  round  him  the 
inhabitants  of  the  deep  to  listen,  and  Dolphins  followed  the 
ship  as  if  chained  by  a  spell.  While  he  struggled  in  the 
waves,  a  Dolphin  offered  him  his  back,  and  carried  him 
mounted  thereon  safe  to  shore.  At  the  spot  where  he 
landed,  a  monument  of  brass  was  afterwards  erected  upon 
the  rocky  shore,  to  preserve  the  memory  of  the  event. 

When  Arion  and  the  Dolphin  parted,  each  to  liis  own 
element,  Arion  thus  poured  forth  his  thanks.     "  Farewell, 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  269 

thou  faithful,  friendly  fish !  Would  that  I  could  reward 
thee  ;  but  thou  canst  not  wend  with  me,  nor  I  with  thee. 
Companionship  we  may  not  have.  May  Galatea,  queen 
of  the  deep,  accord  thee  her  favor,  and  thou,  proud  of  the 
burden,  draw  her  chariot  over  the  smooth  mirror  of  the 
deep." 

Arion  hastened  from  the  shore,  and  soon  saw  before 
him  the  towers  of  Corinth.  He  journeyed  on,  harp  in 
hand,  singing  as  he  went,  full  of  love  and  happiness,  for- 
getting his  losses,  and  mindful  only  of  what  remained,  his 
friend  and  his  lyre.  He  entered  the  hospitable  halls,  and 
was  soon  clasped  in  the  embrace  of  Periander.  "  I  come 
back  to  thee,  my  friend,"  he  said.  "  The  talent  which  a 
god  bestowed  has  been  the  delight  of  thousands,  but  false 
knaves  have  stripped  me  of  my  well-earned  treasure ;  yet 
I  retain  the  consciousness  of  wide-spread  fame."  Then 
he  told  Periander  all  the  wonderful  events  that  had  be- 
fallen him,  who  heard  him  with  amazement.  "  Shall  such 
wickedness  triumph  ?  "  said  he.  "  Then  in  vain  is  power 
lodged  in  my  hands.  That  we  may  discover  the  crimi- 
nals, you  must  remain  here  in  concealment,  and  so  they 
will  approach  without  suspicion."  When  the  ship  arrived 
in  the  harbor,  he  summoned  the  mariners  before  him. 
"  Have  you  heard  any  thing  of  Arion  ?  "  he  inquired.  "  I 
anxiously  look  for  his  return."  They  replied,  "  We  left 
him  well  and  prosperous  in  Tarentum."  As  they  said 
these  words,  Arion  stepped  forth  and  faced  them.  His 
well-proportioned  limbs  were  arrayed  in  gold  and  purple 
fair  to  see,  his  tunic  fell  around  him  in  graceful  folds, 
jewels  adorned  his  arms,  his  brow  was  crowned  with  a 
golden  wreath,  and  over  his  neck  and  shoulders  flowed  his 
hair  perfumed  with  odors ;  his  left  hand  held  the  lyre, 
his  right  the  ivory  wand  witli  which  he  struck  its  chords. 
23* 


270  STORIES    OV   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

They  fell  prostrate  at  his  feet,  as  if  a  lightning  bolt  had 
struck  them.  "  We  meant  to  murder  him,  and  he  has 
become  a  god.  O  Earth,  open  and  receive  us  I "  Then 
Periander  spoke.  "  He  lives,  the  master  of  the  lay ! 
Kind  Heaven  protects  the  poet's  life.  As  for  you,  I  in- 
voke not  the  spirit  of  vengeance  ;  Arion  wishes  not  your 
blood.  Ye  slaves  of  avarice,  begone !  Seek  some  bar- 
barous land,  and  never  may  aught  beautiful  delight  your 
souls ! " 

Spenser  represents  Arion,  mounted  on  his  dolphin,  ac- 
companying the  train  of  Neptune  and  Amphitrite :  — 

"  Then  was  there  heard  a  most  celestial  sound 
Of  dainty  music  which  did  next  ensue, 
And,  on  the  floating  waters  as  enthroned, 
Arion  with  his  harp  unto  him  drew 
The  ears  and  hearts  of  all  that  goodly  crew ; 
Even  when  as  yet  the  dolphin  which  him  bore 
Through  the  ^gean  Seas  from  pirates'  view, 
Stood  still,  by  him  astonished  at  his  lore. 

And  all  the  raging  seas  for  joy  forgot  to  roar," 

Byron,  in  his  Childe  Harold,  Canto  II.,  alludes  to  the 
etory  of  Arion,  when,  describing  his  voyage,  he  represents 
one  of  the  seamen  making  music  to  entertain  the  rest :  -~ 

"  The  moon  is  up ;  by  Heaven  a  lovely  eve ! 

Long  streams  of  light  o'er  dancing  waves  expand ; 

Now  lads  on  shore  may  sigh  and  maids  believe ; 

Such  be  our  fate  when  we  return  to  land  ! 

Meantime  some  rude  Arion's  restless  hand 

Wakes  the  brisk  harmony  that  sailors  love ; 

A  circle  there  of  merry  listeners  stand, 

Or  to  some  well-known  measure  featly  move. 
Thoughtless,  as  if  on  shore  they  still  were  free  to  rove." 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  271 


IBYCDS. 

In  order  to  understand  the  story  of  Ibycus  which  fol- 
lows it  is  necessary  to  remember,  first,  that  the  theatres  of 
the  ancients  were  immense  fabrics  capable  of  containing 
from  ten  to  thirty  thousand  spectators,  and  as  they  were 
used  only  on  festal  occasions,  and  admission  was  free  to 
all,  they  were  usually  filled.  They  were  without  roofs 
and  open  to  the  sky,  and  the  performances  were  in  the 
daytime.  Second,  the  appalling  representation  of  the 
Furies  is  not  exaggerated  in  the  story.  It  is  recorded 
that  -^schylus,  the  tragic  poet,  having  on  one  occasion 
represented  the  Furies  in  a  chorus  of  fifty  performers,  the 
terror  of  the  spectators  was  such  that  many  fainted  and 
were  thrown  into  convulsions,  and  the  magistrates  forbade 
a  like  representation  for  the  future. 

Ibycus,  the  pious  poet,  was  on  his  way  to  the  chariot 
races  and  musical  competitions  held  at  the  Isthmus  of 
Corinth,  which  attracted  all  of  Grecian  lineage.  Apollo 
had  bestowed  on  him  the  gift  of  song,  the  honeyed  lips  of 
the  poet,  and  he  pursued  his  way  with  lightsome  step,  full 
of  the  god.  Already  the  towers  of  Corinth  crowning  the 
height  appeared  in  view,  and  he  had  entered  with  pious 
awe  the  sacred  grove  of  Neptune.  No  living  object  was 
in  sight,  only  a  flock  of  cranes  flew  overhead  taking  the 
same  course  as  himself  in  their  migration  to  a  southern 
clime.  "  Good  luck  to  you,  ye  friendly  squadrons,"  he 
exclaimed,  "  my  companions  from  across  the  sea.  I  take 
your  company  for  a  good  omen.  We  come  from  far  and 
fly  in  search  of  hospitality.  May  both  of  us  meet  that  kind 
reception  which  shields  the  stranger  guest  from  harm  !  " 


272  STORIES  or  gods  and  heroks. 

He  paced  briskly  on,  and  soon  was  in  the  middle  of  the 
wood.  There  suddenly,  at  a  narrow  pass,  two  robbers 
stepped  forth  and  barred  his  way.  He  must  yield  or  fight. 
But  his  hand,  accustomed  to  the  lyre,  and  not  to  the  strife 
of  arms,  sank  powerless.  He  called  for  help  on  men  and 
gods,  but  his  cry  reached  no  defender's  ear.  "  Then  here 
must  I  die,"  said  he,  "  in  a  strange  land,  unlamented,  cut 
off  by  the  hand  of  outlaws,  and  see  none  to  avenge  my 
cause."  Sore  wounded  he  sank  to  the  earth,  when  hoarse 
screamed  the  cranes  overhead.  "  Take  up  my  cause,  ye 
cranes,"  he  said,  "  since  no  voice  but  yours  answers  to  my 
cry."     So  saying  he  closed  his  eyes  in  death. 

The  body  despoiled  and  mangled  was  found,  and  though 
disfigured  with  wounds,  was  recognized  by  the  friend  in 
Corinth  who  had  expected  him  as  a  guest.  "  Is  it  thus  I 
find  you  restored  to  me  ?  "  he  exclaimed ;  "  I  who  hoped 
to  entwine  your  temples  with  the  wreath  of  triumph  in 
the  strife  of  song !  " 

The  guests  assembled  at  the  festival  heard  the  tidings 
with  dismay.  All  Greece  felt  the  wound,  every  heart 
owned  its  loss.  They  crowded  round  the  tribunal  of  the 
magistrates,  and  demanded  vengeance  on  the  murderers 
and  expiation  with  their  blood. 

But  what  trace  or  mark  shall  point  out  the  perpetrator 
from  amidst  the  vast  multitude  attracted  by  the  splendor 
of  the  feast  ?  Did  he  fall  by  the  hands  of  robbers  or  did 
some  private  enemy  slay  him  ?  The  all-discerning  sun 
alone  can  tell,  for  no  other  eye  beheld  it.  Yet  not  im- 
probably the  murderer  even  now  walks  in  the  midst  of  the 
throng,  and  enjoys  the  fruits  of  his  crime,  while  vengeance 
seeks  for  him  in  vain.  Perhaps  in  their  own  temple's 
enclosure  he  defies  the  gods,  mingling  freely  in  this  throng 
of  men  that  now  presses  into  the  amphitheatre. 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  273 

For  now  crowded  together,  row  on  row,  the  multitude 
fill  the  seats  till  it  seems  as  if  the  very  fabric  would  give 
way.  The  murmur  of  voices  sounds  like  the  roar  of  the 
sea,  while  the  circles  widening  in  their  ascent  rise,  tier  on 
tier,  as  if  they  would  reach  the  sky. 

And  now  the  vast  assemblage  listens  to  the  awful  voice 
of  the  chorus  personating  the  Furies,  which  in  solemn 
guise  advances  with  measured  step,  and  moves  around  the 
circuit  of  the  theatre.  Can  they  be  mortal  women  who 
compose  that  awful  group,  and  can  that  vast  concourse  of 
silent  forms  be  living  beings ! 

The  Choristers,  clad  in  black,  bore  in  their  fleshless 
hands  torches  blazing  with  a  pitchy  flame.  Their  cheeks 
were  bloodless,  and  in  place  of  hair,  writhing  and  swelling 
serpents  curled  around  their  brows.  Forming  a  circle, 
these  awful  beings  sang  their  hymn,  rending  the  hearts  of 
the  guUty,  and  enchaining  all  their  faculties.  It  rose  and 
swelled,  overpowering  the  sound  of  the  instruments,  steal- 
ing the  judgment,  palsying  the  heart,  curdling  the  blood. 

"  Happy  the  man  who  keeps  his  heart  pure  from  guilt 
and  crime !  Him  we  avengers  touch  not ;  he  treads  the 
path  of  life  secure  from  us.  But  woe !  woe !  to  him  who 
has  done  the  deed  of  secret  murder.  We  the  fearful 
family  of  Night  fasten  ourselves  upon  his  whole  being. 
Thinks  he  by  flight  to  escape  us  ?  "We  fly  still  faster  in 
pursuit,  twine  our  snakes  around  his  feet  and  bring  him  to 
the  ground.  Unwearied  we  pursue ;  no  pity  checks  our 
course ;  still  on  and  on  to  the  end  of  life,  w^e  give  him  no 
peace  nor  rest."  Thus  the  Eumenides  sang,  and  moved 
in  solemn  cadence,  while  stillness  like  the  stillness  of 
death  sat  over  the  whole  assembly  as  if  in  the  presence  of 
superhuman  beings ;  and  then  in  solemn  march  completing 
the  circuit  of  the  theatre,  they  passed  out  at  the  back  of 
the  stage. 


274  STORIES    OF   GODS   AXD    HEROES. 

Every  heart  fluttered  between  illusion  and  reality,  and 
every  breast  panted  with  undefined  terror,  quailing  before 
the  awful  power  that  watches  secret  crimes  and  winds  un- 
seen the  skein  of  destiny.  At  that  moment  a  cry  burst 
forth  from  one  of  the  uppermost  benches  —  "  Look !  look ! 
comrade,  yonder  are  the  cranes  of  Ibycus !  "  And  sud- 
denly there  appeared  sailing  across  the  sky  a  dark  object 
which  a  moment's  inspection  showed  to  be  a  flock  of 
cranes  flying  directly  over  the  theatre.  "  Of  Ibycus  !  did 
he  say  ?  "  The  beloved  name  revived  the  sorrow  in  every 
breast.  As  wave  follows  wave  over  the  face  of  the  sea, 
so  ran  from  mouth  to  mouth  the  words,  "  Of  Ibycus  !  him 
whom  we  all  lament,  whom  some  murderer's  hand  laid 
low!  What  have  the  cranes  to  do  with  him?"  And 
louder  grew  the  swell  of  voices,  while  hke  a  lightning's 
flash  the  thought  sped  through  every  heart,  "  Observe  the 
power  of  the  Euraenides !  The  pious  poet  shall  be 
avenged!  the  murderer  has  informed  against  himself. 
Seize  the  man  who  uttered  that  cry  and  the  other  to  whom 
he  spoke ! " 

The  culprit  would  gladly  have  recalled  his  words,  but 
it  was  too  late.  The  faces  of  the  murderers  pale  with 
terror  betrayed  their  guilt.  The  people  took  them  before 
the  judge,  they  confessed  their  crime  and  suffered  the  pun- 
ishment they  deserved. 


SIMONIDES. 

Simonides  was  one  of  the  most  prolific  of  the  early 
poets  of  Greece,  but  only  a  few  fragments  of  his  compo- 
sitions have  descended  to  us.  He  wrote  hymns,  triumphal 
odes,  and  elegies.     In  the  last  species  of  composition  he 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  275 

particularly  excelled.  His  genius  was  inclined  to  the  pa- 
thetic, and  none  could  touch  with  truer  effect  the  chords  of 
human  sympathy.  The  Lamentation  of  Danae,  the  most 
important  of  the  fragments  which  remain  of  his  poetry,  is 
based  upon  the  tradition  that  Danae  and  her  infant  son 
were  confined  by  order  of  her  father  Acrisius  in  a  chest 
and  set  adrift  on  the  sea.  The  chest  floated  towards  the 
island  of  Seriphus,  where  both  were  rescued  by  Dictys,  a 
fisherman,  and  carried  to  Polydectes,  king  of  the  country, 
who  received  and  protected  them.  The  child  Perseus 
when  grown  up  became  a  famous  hero,  whose  adventures 
have  been  recorded  in  a  previous  chapter. 

Simonides  passed  much  of  his  life  at  the  courts  of  princes 
and  often  employed  his  talents  in  panegyric  and  festal 
odes,  receiving  his  reward  from  the  munificence  of  those 
whose  exploits  he  celebrated.  This  employment  was  not 
derogatory,  but  closely  resembles  that  of  the  earliest  bards, 
such  as  Demodocus,  described  by  Homer,  or  of  Homer 
himself  as  recorded  by  tradition. 

On  one  occasion  when  residing  at  the  court  of  Scopas, 
king  of  Thessaly,  the  prince  desired  him  to  prepare  a 
poem  in  celebration  of  his  exploits,  to  be  recited  at  a  ban- 
quet. In  order  to  diversify  his '  theme,  Simonides  who 
was  celebrated  for  his  piety  introduced  into  his  poem  the 
exploits  of  Castor  and  Pollux.  Such  digressions  were 
not  unusual  with  the  poets  on  similar  occasions,  and  one 
might  suppose  an  ordinary  mortal  might  have  been  con- 
tent to  share  the  praises  of  the  sons  of  Leda.  But  vanity 
is  exacting ;  and  as  Scopas  sat  at  his  festal  board  among 
his  courtiers  and  sycophants,  he  grudged  every  verse  that 
did  not  rehearse  his  own  praises.  When  Simonides  ap- 
proached to  receive  the  promised  reward  Scopas  bestowed 
but  half  the  expected  sura,  saying,  "  Here  is  payment  for 


276  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

my  portion  of  thy  performance,  Castor  and  Pollux  will 
doubtless  compensate  thee  for  so  much  as  relates  to  them." 
The  disconcerted  poet  returned  to  his  seat  amidst  the 
laughter  which  followed  the  great  man's  jest.  In  a  little 
time  he  received  a  message  that  two  young  men  on  horse- 
back were  waiting  without  and  anxious  to  see  him.  Si- 
monides  hastened  to  the  door,  but  looked  in  vain  for  the 
visitors.  Scarcely  however  had  he  left  the  banquetting 
hall  when  the  roof  fell  in  with  a  loud  crash,  burying  Sco- 
pas  and  all  his  guests  beneath  the  ruins.  On  inquiring  as 
to  the  appearance  of  the  young  men  who  had  sent  for 
liim,  Simonides  was  satisfied  that  they  were  no  other  than 
Castor  and  Pollux  themselves. 


SAPPHO. 

Sappho  was  a  poetess  who  flourished  in  a  very  early 
age  of  Greek  literature.  Of  her  works  few  fragments 
remain,  but  they  are  enough  to  establish  her  claim  to  emi- 
nent poetical  genius.  The  story  of  Sappho  commonly 
alluded  to  is  that  she  was  passionately  in  love  with  a 
beautiful  youth  named  Phaon,  and  failing  to  obtain  a  re- 
turn of  affection  she  threw  herself  from  the  promontory 
of  Leucadia  into  the  sea,  under  a  superstition  that  those 
who  should  take  that  '  Lover' s-leap '  would,  if  not  de- 
stroyed, be  cured  of  their  love. 

Byron  alludes  to  the  story  of  Sappho  in  Childe  Harold, 
Canto  II.:  — 


"  Childe  Harold  sailed  and  passed  the  barren  spot 
Where  sad  Penelope  o'erlooked  the  wave, 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  277 

And  onward  viewed  the  mount,  not  yet  forgot, 
The  lover's  refuge  and  the  Lesbian's  grave. 
Dark  Sappho  !  could  not  verse  immortal  save 
That  breast  imbued  with  such  immortal  fire  ? 

"  'Twas  on  a  Grecian  autumn's  gentle  eve 
Childe  Harold  hailed  Leucadia's  cape  afar  ;  "  &c. 

Those  who  wish  to  know  more  of  Sappho   and  her 
*  leap,'  are  referred  to  the  Spectator,  Nos.  223  and  229. 
See  also  Moore's  Evenings  in  Greece. 
24 


278 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


Endymion. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

ENDYMION  —  ORION  —  AURORA    AND    TITHONUS — 
ACIS  AND  GALATEA. 


DIANA  AND   ENDYMION. 

Endymion  was  a  beautiful  youth  who  fed  his  flock  on 
Mount  Latmos.  One  calm,  clear  night,  Diana,  the  Moon, 
looked  down  and  saw  him  sleeping.  The  cold  heart  of 
the  virgin  goddess  was  warmed  by  his  surpassing  beauty, 
and  she  came  down  to  him,  kissed  him,  and  watched  over 
him  while  he  slept. 

Another  story  was  that  Jupiter  bestowed  on  him  the 
gift  of  perpetual  youth  united  with  perpetual  sleep.  Of 
one  so  gifted  we  can  have  but  few  adventures  to  record. 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  279 

Diana  it  was  said  took  care  that  his  fortunes  should  not 
suffer  by  his  inactive  life,  for  she  made  his  flock  increase, 
and  guarded  his  sheep  and  lambs  from  the  wild  beasts. 

The  story  of  Endymion  has  a  peculiar  charm  from  the 
human  meaning  which  it  so  thinly  veils.  We  see  in  En- 
dymion the  young  poet,  his  fancy  and  his  heart  seeking  in 
vain  for  that  which  can  satisfy  them,  finding  his  favorite 
hour  in  the  quiet  moonlight,  and  nursing  there  beneath  the 
beams  of  the  bright  and  silent  witness  the  melancholy  and 
the  ardor  which  consumes  him.  The  story  suggests  as- 
piring and  poetic  love,  a  life  spent  more  in  dreams  than  in 
reality,  and  an  early  and  welcome  death.  S.  G.B. 

The  Endymion  of  Keats  is  a  wild  and  fanciful  poem, 
containing  some  exquisite  poetry,  as  this,  to  the  moon ;  — 

"  The  sleeping  kine 
Couched  in  thy  brightness  dream  of  fields  divine. 
Innumerable  mountains  rise,  and  rise, 
Ambitious  for  the  hallowing  of  thine  eyes, 
And  yet  thy  benediction  passeth  not 
One  obscure  hiding-place,  one  little  spot 
Where  pleasure  may  be  sent ;  the  nested  wren 
Has  thy  fair  face  within  its  tranquil  ken ;  "  &c.,  &c. 

Dr.  Young  in  the  Night  Thoughts  alludes  to  Endymion 

thus : — 

"  These  thoughts,  0  Night,  are  thine ; 
From  thee  they  came  like  lovers'  secret  sighs, 
While  others  slept.     So  Cynthia,  poets  feign. 
In  shadows  veiled,  soft,  sliding  from  her  sphere. 
Her  shepherd  cheered,  of  her  enamoured  less 
Than  I  of  thee." 

Fletcher,  in  the  Faithful  Shepherdess,  tells,  — 

"  How  the  pale  Phoebe,  hunting  in  a  grove. 
First  saw  the  boy  Endymion,  from  whose  eyes 


280 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 


She  took  eternal  fire  that  never  dies  ; 
How  she  conveyed  him  softly  in  a  sleep, 
His  temples  bound  with  poppy,  to  the  steep 
Head  of  old  Latmos,  where  she  stoops  each  night, 
Gilding  the  mountain  with  her  brother's  light. 
To  kiss  her  sweetest." 


ORION. 


Orion  was  the  son  of  Neptune.  He  was  a  handsome 
giant  and  a  mighty  hunter.  His  father  gave  him  the 
power  of  wading  through  the  deptlis  of  the  sea,  or  as 
others  say  of  walking  on  its  surface. 

Orion  loved  Merope,  the  daughter  of  OEnopion,  king 
of  Chios,  and  sought  her  in  marriage.  He  cleared  the 
island  of  wild  beasts,  and  brought  the  spoils  of  the  chase 
as  presents  to  his  beloved ;  but  as  CEnopion  constantly 
deferred  his  consent,  Orion  attempted  to  gain  possession 
of  the  maiden  by  violence.  Her  father,  incensed  at  this 
conduct,  having  made  Orion  drunk,  deprived  him  of  his 
sight  and  cast  him  out  on  the  sea  shore.  The  blinded  hero 
followed  the  sound  of  a  Cyclops'  hammer  till  he  reached 
Lemnos,  and  came  to  the  forge  of  Vulcan,  who,  taking 
pity  on  him,  gave  him  Kedalion,  one  of  his  men,  to  be  his 
guide  to  the  abode  of  the  sun.  Placing  Kedalion  on  his 
shoulders,  Orion  proceeded  to  the  east,  and  there  meeting 
the  sun-god,  was  restored  to  sight  by  his  beam. 

After  this  he  dwelt  as  a  hunter  with  Diana,  with  whom 
he  was  a  favorite,  and  it  is  even  said  she  was  about  to 
marry  him.  Her  brother  was  highly  displeased  and  often 
chid  her,  but  to  no  purpose.  One  day,  observing  Orion 
wading  through  the  sea  with  his  head  just  above  the  water, 
Apollo  pointed  it  out  to  his  sister  and  maintained  that  she 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  281 

could  not  hit  that  black  thing  on  the  sea.  The  archer- 
goddess  discharged  a  shaft  with  fatal  aim.  The  waves 
rolled  the  dead  body  of  Orion  to  the  land,  and  bewaihng 
her  fatal  error  with  many  tears,  Diana  placed  him  among 
the  stars,  where  he  appears  as  a  giant,  with  a  girdle,  sword, 
lion's  skin,  and  club.  Sirius,  his  dog,  follows  him,  and  the 
Pleiads  fly  before  him. 

The  Pleiads  were  daughters  of  Atlas,  and  nymphs  of 
Diana's  train.  One  day  Orion  saw  them  and  became 
enamoured  and  pursued  them.  In  their  distress  they 
prayed  to  the  gods  to  change  their  form,  and  Jupiter  in 
pity  turned  them  into  pigeons,  and  then  made  them  a  con- 
stellation in  the  sky.  Though  their  number  was  seven, 
only  six  stars  are  visible,  for  Electra,  one  of  them,  it  is 
said  left  her  place  that  she  might  not  behold  the  ruin  of 
Troy,  for  that  city  was  founded  by  her  son  Dardanus. 
The  sight  had  such  an  effect  on  her  sisters  that  they  have 
looked  pale  ever  since. 

Mr.  Longfellow  has  a  poem  on  the  "  Occultation  of  Ori- 
on." The  following  lines  are  those  in  which  he  alludes  to 
the  mythic  story.  We  must  premise  that  on  the  celestial 
globe  Orion  is  represented  as  robed  in  a  lion's  skin,  and 
wielding  a  club.  At  the  moment  the  stars  of  the  constel- 
lation one  by  one  were  quenched  in  the  light  of  the  moon, 
the  poet  tells  us  — 


"  Down  fell  the  red  skin  of  the  lion 
Into  the  river  at  his  feet. 
His  mighty  club  no  longer  beat 
The  forehead  of  the  bull ;  but  he 
Reeled  as  of  yore  beside  the  sea, 
When  blinded  by  CEnopion 

He  sought  the  blacksmith  at  his  forge, 

24* 


282  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

And  climbing  up  the  narrow  gorge, 
Fixed  his  blank  eyes  upon  the  sun." 

Tennyson  has  a  different  theory  of  the  Pleiads. 

"  Many  a  night  I  saw  the  Pleiads,  rising  through  the  mellow  shade, 
Glitter  like  a  swarm  of  fire-flies  tangled  in  a  silver  braid." 

Locksley  Hall. 

Byron  alludes  to  the  lost  Pleiad. 

"  Like  the  lost  Pleiad  seen  no  more  below." 

See  also  Mrs.  Hemans's  verses  on  the  same  subject. 


AURORA  AND   TITHONUS. 

The  goddess  of  the  Dawn,  like  her  sister  the  Moon,  was 
at  times  inspired  with  the  love  of  mortals.  Her  greatest 
favorite  was  Tithonus,  son  of  Laomedon,  king  of  Troy. 
She  stole  him  away,  and  prevailed  on  Jupiter  to  grant 
him  immortality ;  but  forgetting  to  have  youth  joined  in 
the  gift,  after  some  time  she  began  to  discern,  to  her  great 
mortification,  that  he  was  growing  old.  When  his  hair 
was  quite  white  she  left  his  society ;  but  he  still  had  the 
range  of  her  palace,  lived  on  ambrosial  food  and  w^as  clad 
in  celestial  raiment.  At  length  he  lost  the  power  of  usihg 
his  limbs,  and  then  she  shut  him  up  in  his  chamber, 
whence  his  feeble  voice  might  at  times  be  heard.  Final- 
ly she  turned  him  into  a  grasshopper. 

Memnon  was  the  son  of  Aurora  and  Tithonus.  He 
was  king  of  the  Ethiopians  and  dwelt  in  the  extreme 
east,  on  the  shore  of  Ocean.  He  came  with  his  warriors 
to  assist  the  kindred  of  his  father  in  the  Avar  of  Troy. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  283 

King  Priam  received  him  with  great  honors,  and  listened 
with  admiration  to  his  narrative  of  the  wonders  of  the 
ocean  shore. 

The  very  day  after  his  arrival,  Memnon  impatient  of 
repose  led  his  troops  to  the  field.  Antilochus,  the  brave 
son  of  Nestor,  fell  by  his  hand,  and  the  Greeks  were  put 
to  flight,  when  Achilles  appeared  and  restored  the  battle. 
A  long  and  doubtful  contest  ensued  between  him  and  the 
son  of  Aurora ;  at  length  victory  declared  for  Achilles, 
Memnon  fell,  and  the  Trojans  fled  in  dismay. 

Aurora,  who  from  her  station  in  the  sky  had  viewed 
with  apprehension  the  danger  of  her  son,  when  she  saw 
him  fall  directed  his  brothers  the  Winds  to  convey  his 
body  to  the  banks  of  the  river  Esepus  in  Paphlagonia.  In 
the  evening,  Aurora  came,  accompanied  by  the  Hours  and 
the  Pleiads,  and  wept  and  lamented  over  her  son.  Night, 
in  sympathy  with  her  grief,  spread  the  heaven  with  clouds  ; 
all  nature  mourned  for  the  offspring  of  the  Dawn.  The 
^Ethiopians  raised  his  tomb  on  the  banks  of  the  stream 
in  the  grove  of  the  Nymphs,  and  Jupiter  caused  the  sparks 
and  cinders  of  his  funeral  pile  to  be  turned  into  birds, 
which,  dividing  into  two  flocks,  fought  over  the  pile  till 
they  fell  into  the  flame.  Every  year  at  the  anniversary 
of  his  death  they  return  and  celebrate  his  obsequies  in 
like  manner.  Aurora  remains  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of 
her  son.  Her  tears  still  flow,  and  may  be  seen  at  early 
morning  in  the  form  of  dew-drops  on  the  grass. 

Unlike  most  of  the  marvels  of  ancient  mythology,  there 
still  exist  some  memorials  of  this.  On  the  banks  of  the 
river  Nile,  in  Egypt,  are  two  colossal  statues,  one  of 
which  is  said  to  be  the  statue  of  Memnon.  Ancient  writ- 
ers record  that  when  the  first  rays  of  the  rising  sun  fall 


284  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

upon  this  statue,  a  sound  is  heard  to  issue  from  it  which 
they  compare  to  the  snapping  of  a  harpsti'ing.  There  is 
some  doubt  about  the  identification  of  the  existing  statue 
with  the  one  described  by  the  ancients,  and  the  mysteri- 
ous sounds  are  still  more  doubtful.  Yet  there  are  not 
wanting  some  modern  testimonies  to  their  being  still  audi- 
ble. It  has  been  suggested  that  sounds  produced  by  con- 
fined air  making  its  escape  from  crevices  or  caverns  in  the 
rocks  may  have  given  some  ground  for  the  story.  Sir 
Gardner  Wilkinson,  a  late  traveller,  of  the  highest  author- 
ity, examined  the  statue  itself,  and  discovered  that  it  was 
hollow,  and  that  "  in  the  lap  of  the  statue  is  a  stone,  which 
on  being  struck  emits  a  metallic  sound,  that  might  still  be 
made  use  of  to  deceive  a  visitor  who  was  predisposed  to 
believe  its  powers." 

The  vocal  statue  of  Memnon  is  a  favorite  subject  of 
allusion  with  the  poets.  Darwin  in  his  Botanic  Garden 
says  — 

"  So  to  the  sacred  Sun  in  Memnon's  fane 
Spontaneous  concords  choired  the  matin  strain  ; 
Touched  by  his  orient  beam  responsive  rings 
The  living  lyre  and  vibrates  all  its  strings  ; 
Accordant  aisles  the  tender  tones  prolong, 
And  holy  echoes  swell  the  adoring  song." 

B.  I.,  1. 182. 

ACIS  AND   GALATEA. 

Scylla  was  a  fair  virgin  of  Sicily,  a  favorite  of  the  Sea- 
Nymphs.  She  had  many  suitors,  but  repelled  them  all, 
and  would  go  to  the  grotto  of  Galatea,  and  tell  her  how 
she  was  persecuted.  One  day  the  goddess,  while  Scylla 
dressed  her  hair,  listened  to  the  story,  and  then  replied, 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  285 

"  Yet,  maiden,  your  persecutors  are  of  the  not  ungentle 
race  of  men,  whom  if  you  will  you  can  repel ;  but  I,  the 
daughter  of  Nereus,  and  protected  by  such  a  band  of 
sisters,  found  no  escape  from  the  passion  of  the  Cyclops 
but  in  the  depths  of  the  sea ; "  and  tears  stopped  her 
utterance,  which  when  the  pitying  maiden  had  wiped 
away  with  her  delicate  finger,  and  soothed  the  goddess, 
"  Tell  me,  dearest,"  said  she,  "  the  cause  of  your  grief." 
Galatea  then  said,  "  Acis  was  the  son  of  Faunus  and  a 
Naiad.  His  father  and  mother  loved  him  dearly,  but  their 
love  was  not  equal  to  mine.  For  the  beautiful  youth  at- 
tached himself  to  me  alone,  and  he  was  just  sixteen  years 
old,  the  down  just  beginning  to  darken  his  cheeks.  As 
much  as  I  sought  his  society,  so  much  did  the  Cyclops 
seek  mine  ;  and  if  you  ask  me  whether  my  love  for  Acis 
or  my  hatred  of  Polyphemus  was  the  stronger,  I  cannot 
tell  you ;  they  were  in  equal  measure.  0  Venus,  how 
great  is  thy  power !  this  fierce  giant,  the  terror  of  the 
woods,  whom  no  hapless  stranger  escaped  unharmed,  who 
defied  even  Jove  himself,  learned  to  feel  what  love  was, 
and,  touched  with  a  passion  for  me,  forgot  his  flocks  and 
his  well-stored  caverns.  Then  for  the  first  time  he  began 
to  take  some  care  of  his  appearance,  and  to  try  to  make 
himself  agreeable  ;  he  harrowed  those  coarse  locks  of  his 
with  a  comb,  and  mowed  his  beard  with  a  sickle,  looked 
at  his  harsh  features  in  the  water  and  composed  his  coun- 
tenance. His  love  of  slaughter,  his  fierceness  and  thirst 
of  blood  prevailed  no  more,  and  ships  that  touched  at  his 
island  went  away  in  safety.  He  paced  up  and  down  the 
sea  shore,  imprinting  huge  tracks  with  his  heavy  tread, 
and,  when  weary,  lay  tranquilly  in  his  cave. 

"  There  is  a  cliff"  which  projects  into  the  sea,  which 
washes  it  on  either  side.     Thither  one  day  the  huge  Cy- 


286  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

clops  ascended,  and  sat  down  while  his  flocks  spread  them- 
selves around.  Laying  down  his  staff  which  would  have 
served  for  a  mast  to  hold  a  vessel's  sail,  and  taking  his 
instrument  compacted  of  numerous  pipes,  he  made  the 
hills  and  the  waters  echo  the  music  of  his  song.  I  lay 
hid  under  a  rock  by  the  side  of  my  beloved  Acis,  and 
listened  to  the  distant  strain.  It  was  full  of  extravagant 
praises  of  my  beauty,  mingled  with  passionate  reproaches 
of  my  coldness  and  cruelty. 

"  When  he  had  finished,  he  rose  up  and  like  a  raging 
buU,  that  cannot  stand  still,  wandered  off  into  the  woods. 
Acis  and  I  thought  no  more  of  him,  till  on  a  sudden  he 
came  to  a  spot  which  gave  him  a  view  of  us  as  we  sat. 
*  I  see  you,'  he  exclaimed,  '  and  I  will  make  this  the  last 
of  your  love-meetings.'  His  voice  was  a  roar  such  as  an 
angry  Cyclops  alone  could  utter.  JEtna  trembled  at  the 
sound.  I,  overcome  with  terror,  plunged  into  the  water. 
Acis  turned  and  fled,  crying,  '  Save  me,  Galatea,  save  me, 
my  parents  ! '  The  Cyclops  pursued  him,  and  tearing  a 
rock  from  the  side  of  the  mountain  hurled  it  at  him. 
Though  only  a  corner  of  it  touched  him  it  overwhelmed 
him." 

"  All  that  fate  left  in  my  power  I  did  for  Acis.  I  en- 
dowed him  with  the  honors  of  his  grandfather  the  river- 
god.  The  purple  blood  flowed  out  from  under  the  rock, 
but  by  degrees  grew  paler  and  looked  like  the  stream  of 
a  river  rendered  turbid  by  rains,  and  in  time  it  became 
clear.  The  rock  cleaved  open,  and  the  water,  as  it  gushed 
from  the  chasm,  uttered  a  pleasing  murmur." 

Thus  Acis  was  changed  into  a  river,  and  the  river  re- 
tains the  name  of  Acis. 

Dryden,  in  his  Cymon  and  Iphigenia,  has  told  the  story 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES.  287 

of  a  clown  converted  into  a  gentleman  by  the  power  of 
love,  in  a  way  that  shows  ti*aces  of  kindred  to  the  old 
story  of  Galatea  and  the  Cyclops. 

"  What  not  his  father's  care  nor  tutor's  art 
Could  plant  with  pains  in  his  unpolished  heart, 
The  best  instructor,  Love,  at  once  inspired, 
As  barren  grounds  to  fruitfulness  are  fired. 
Love  taught  him  shame,  and  shame  with  love  at  strife 
Soon  taught  the  sweet  civilities  of  life." 


238 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 


THE  TROJAN  WAR. 


Minerva  was  the  goddess  of  wisdom,  but  on  one  occa- 
sion she  did  a  very  foolish  thing ;  she  entered  into  com- 
petition with  Juno  and  Venus  for  the  prize  of  beauty.  It 
happened  thus :  At  the  nuptials  of  Peleus  and  Thetis  all 
the  gods  were  invited  with  the  exception  of  Eris,  or  Dis- 
cord. Enraged  at  her  exclusion,  the  goddess  threw  a 
golden  apple  among  the  guests,  with  the  inscription,  "  For 
the  fairest."  Thereupon  Juno,  Venus,  and  Minerva  each 
claimed  the  apple.  Jupiter,  not  willing  to  decide  in  so 
delicate  a  matter,  sent  the  goddesses  to  Mount  Ida,  where 
the  beautiful  shepherd  Paris  was  tending  his  flocks,  and 
to  him  was  committed  the  decision.  The  goddesses  ac- 
cordingly appeared  before  him.  Juno  promised  him 
power  and  riches,  Minerva  glory  and  renown  in  war,  and 
Venus  the  fairest  of  women  for  his  wife,  each  attempting 
to  bias  his  decision  in  her  own  favor.  Paris  decided  in 
favor  of  Venus  and  gave  her  the  golden  apple,  thus  mak- 
ing the  two  other  goddesses  his  enemies.  Under  the  pro- 
tection of  Venus,  Paris  sailed  to  Greece,  and  was  hospi- 
tably received  by  Menelaus,  king  of  Sparta.  Now  Helen, 
the  wife  of  Menelaus,  was  the  very  woman  whom  Venus 
had  destined  for  Paris,  the  fairest  of  her  sex.  She  had 
been  sought  as  a  bride  by  numerous  suitors,  and  before 
her  decision  was  made  known,  they  all,  at  the  suggestion 
of  Ulysses,  one  of  their  number,  took  an  oath  that  they 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEUOES.  289 

would  defend  her  from  all  injury  and  avenge  her  cause  if 
necessary.  She  chose  Menelaus,  and  was  living  with  him 
happily  when  Pai'is  became  their  guest.  Paris,  aided  by 
Venus,  persuaded  her  to  elope  with  him,  and  carried  her 
to  Troy,  whence  arose  the  famous  Trojan  war,  the  theme 
of  the  greatest  poems  of  antiquity,  those  of  Homer  and 
Virgil. 

Menelaus  called  upon  his  brother  chieftains  of  Greece 
to  fulfil  their  pledge,  and  join  him  in  his  efforts  to  recover 
his  wife.  They  generally  came  forward,  but  Ulysses,  who 
had  married  Penelope  and  was  very  happy  in  his  wife 
and  child,  had  no  disposition  to  embai'k  in  such  a  trouble- 
some affair.  He  therefore  liung  back  and  Palamedes  was 
sent  to  urge  him.  When  Palamedes  arrived  at  Ithaca, 
Ulysses  pretended  to  be  mad.  He  yoked  an  ass  and  an 
ox  together  to  the  plough  and  began  to  sow  salt.  Pala- 
medes, to  try  him,  placed  the  infant  Telemachus  before  the 
plough,  whereupon  the  father  turned  the  plough  aside, 
showing  plainly  that  he  was  no  madman,  and  after  that 
could  no  longer  refuse  to  fulfil  his  promise.  Being  now 
himself  gained  for  the  undertaking  he  lent  his  aid  to  bring 
in  other  reluctant  chiefs,  especially  Achilles.  This  hero 
was  the  son  of  that  Thetis  at  whose  marriage  the  apple  of 
Discord  had  been  thrown  among  the  goddesses.  Thetis 
was  herself  one  of  the  immortals,  a  sea-nymph,  and  know- 
ing that  her  son  was  fated  to  perish  before  Troy  if  he 
went  on  the  expedition,  she  endeavored  to  prevent  his 
going.  She  sent  him  away  to  the  court  of  King  Lycome- 
des,  and  induced  him  to  conceal  himself  in  the  disguise  of 
a  maiden  among  the  daughters  of  the  king.  Ulysses,  hear- 
ing he  was  there,  went  disguised  as  a  merchant  to  the 
palace  and  offered  for  sale  female  ornaments,  among  which 
he  had  placed  some  arms.  While  the  king's  daughters 
25 


290  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

were  engrossed  with  the  other  contents  of  the  merchant's 
pack,  Achilles  handled  the  weapons  and  thereby  betrayed 
himself  to  the  keen  eye  of  Ulysses,  who  found  no  great 
difficulty  in  persuading  him  to  disregard  his  mother's  pru- 
dent counsels  and  join  his  countrymen  in  the  war. 

Priam  was  king  of  Troy,  and  Paris,  the  shepherd  and 
seducer  of  Helen,  was  his  son.  Paris  had  been  brought 
up  in  obscurity,  because  there  were  certain  ominous 
forebodings  connected  with  him  from  his  infancy  that 
he  would  be  the  ruin  of  the  state.  These  forebodings 
seemed  at  length  likely  to  be  realized,  for  the  Grecian 
armament  now  in  preparation  was  the  greatest  that  had 
ever  been  fitted  out.  Agamemnon,  king  of  Mycena?,  and 
brother  of  the  injured  Menelaus,  was  chosen  commander- 
in-chief.  Achilles  was  their  most  illustrious  warrior. 
After  him  ranked  Ajax,  gigantic  in  size  and  of  great  cour- 
age, but  dull  of  intellect,  Diomede,  second  only  to  Achilles 
in  all  the  qualities  of  a  hero,  Ulysses,  famous  for  his  sa- 
gacity, and  Nestor,  the  oldest  of  the  Grecian  chiefs,  and 
one  to  whom  they  all  looked  up  for  counsel.  But  Tioy 
was  no  feeble  enemy.  Priam  the  king  was  -now  old,  but 
he  had  been  a  wise  prince  and  had  strengthened  his  state 
by  good  government  at  home  and  numerous  alliances  with 
his  neighbors.  But  the  principal  stay  and  support  of  his 
throne  was  his  son  Hector,  one  of  the  noblest  characters 
painted  by  heathen  antiquity.  He  felt,  from  the  first,  a 
presentiment  of  the  fall  of  his  country,  but  still  persevered 
in  his  heroic  resistance,  yet  by  no  means  justified  the 
wrong  which  brought  this  danger  upon  her.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Andromache,  and  as  a  husband 
and  father  his  character  was  not  less  admirable  than  jis  a 
warrior.  The  principal  leaders  on  the  side  of  the  Tro- 
jans, besides  Hector,  were  JEneas  and  Deiphobus,  Glau- 
cus  and  Sarpedon. 


STORIES    or    GODS    AND    IIKUOES. 


291 


After  two  years  of  preparation  the  Greek  fleet  and 
army  assembled  in  the  port  of  Aulis  in  Bceotia.  Here 
Agamemnon  in  hunting  killed  a  stag  which  was  sacred  to 
Diana,  and  the  goddess  in  return  visited  the  army  with 
pestilence,  and  produced  a  calm  which  prevented  the  ships 
from  leaving  the  port.  Calchas  the  soothsayer  thei'eupon 
announced  that  the  wrath  of  the  virgin  goddess  could  only 
be  appeased  by  the  sacrifice  of  a  virgin  on  her  altar,  and 
that  none  other  but  the  daughter  of  the  offender  would  be 
acceptable.  Agamemnon,  however  reluctant,  yielded  his 
consent,  and  the  maiden  Iphigenia  was  sent  for  under 
the  pretence  that  she  was  to  be  married  to  Achilles. 
When  she  was  about  to  be  sacrificed  the  goddess  relented 
and  snatched  her  away,  leaving  a  hind  in  her  place,  and 
Iphigenia  enveloped  in  a  cloud  was  carried  to  Tauris, 
where  Diana  made  her  priestess  of  her  temple. 


Iphigenia. 


292  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

Tennyson,  in  his  Dream  of  Fair  Women,  makes  Iphige- 
nia  thus  describe  her  feelings  at  the  moment  of  sacrifice ; 
the  moment  represented  in  our  engraving :  — 

"  I  was  cut  ofiF  from  hope  in  that  sad  place, 

Which  yet  to  name  my  spirit  loathes  and  fears ; 
My  father  held  his  hand  upon  his  face ; 
I,  blinded  by  my  tears, 

"  Still  strove  to  speak  ;  my  voice  was  thick  with  sighs, 
As  in  a  dream.     Dimly  I  could  descry 
The  stern  black-bearded  kings,  with  wolfish  eyes, 
Waiting  to  see  me  die. 

"  The  tall  masts  quivered  as  they  lay  afloat, 
The  temples  and  the  people  and  the  shore ; 
One  drew  a  sharp  knife  through  my  tender  throat 
Slowly,  —  and  —  nothing  more." 

The  wind  now  proving  fair  the  fleet  made  sail  and 
brought  the  forces  to  the  coast  of  Troy.  The  Trojans 
came  to  oppose  their  landing,  and  at  the  first  onset  Pro- 
tesilaus  fell  by  the  hand  of  Hector.  Protesilaus  had  left 
at  home  his  wife  Laodamia,  who  was  most  tenderly  at- 
tached to  him.  When  the  news  of  his  death  reached  her 
she  implored  the  gods  to  be  allowed  to  converse  with  him 
only  three  hours.  The  request  was  granted.  Mercury 
led  Protesilaus  back  to  the  upper  world,  and  when  he  died 
a  second  time  Laodamia  died  with  him.  There  was  a 
story  that  the  nymphs  planted  elm  trees  round  his  grave 
which  grew  very  well  till  they  were  high  enough  to  com- 
mand a  view  of  Troy,  and  then  withered  away,  while 
fresh  branches  sprang  from  the  roots. 

Wordsworth  has  taken  the  story  of  Protesilaus  and 
Laodamia  for  the  subject  of  a  poem.  It  seems  the  oracle 
bad  declared  that  victory  should  be  the  lot  of  that  party 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  293 

from  which  should  fall  the  first  victim  to  the  war.  The 
poet  represents  Protesilaus,  on  his  brief  return  to  earth, 
as  relating  to  Laodamia  tlie  story  of  his  fate :  — 

"  The  wished-for  wind  was  given ;  I  then  revolved 

The  oracle,  upon  the  silent  sea ; 
And  if  no  worthier  led  the  way,  resolved 

That  of  a  thousand  vessels  mine  should  be 
The  foremost  prow  impressing  to  the  strand, — 
Mine  the  first  blood  that  tinged  the  Trojan  sand. 

"  Yet  bitter,  ofttimes  bitter  was  the  pang 

When  of  thy  loss  I  thought,  beloved  wife ! 

On  thee  too  fondly  did  my  memory  hang, 
And  on  the  joys  we  shared  in  mortal  life. 

The  paths  which  we  had  trod,  — these  fountains,  flowers; 

My  new  planned  cities  and  unfinished  towers. 

*'  But  should  suspense  permit  the  foe  to  cry, 

'  Behold  they  tremble !  haughty  their  array, 
Yet  of  their  number  no  one  dares  to  die  ? ' 

In  soul  I  swept  the  indignity  away : 
Old  frailties  then  recurred  :  but  lofty  thought 
In  act  imbodied  my  deliverance  wrought. 
«  «  «  «  « 

" upon  the  side 

Of  Hellespont  (such  faith  was  entertained) 
A  knot  of  spiry  trees  for  ages  grew 

From  out  the  tomb  of  him  for  whom  she  died; 

And  over  when  such  stature  they  had  gained 
That  Ilium's  walls  were  subject  to  their  view. 
The  trees'  tall  summits  withered  at  the  sight, 
A  constant  interchange  of  growth  and  blight !  " 


THE  ILIAD. 

The  war  continued  without  decisive  results  for  nine 
years.     Then  an  event  occurred  which  seemed  likely  to 
25* 


294  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

be  fatal  to  the  cause  of  the  Greeks,  and  that  was  a  quarrel 
between  Achilles  and  Agamemnon.  It  is  at  this  point 
thiit  the  great  poem  of  Homer,  the  Eiad,  begins.  The 
Greeks  though  unsuccessful  against  Troy,  had  taken  the 
neighboring  and  allied  cities,  and  in  the  division  of  the 
spoil  a  female  captive,  by  name  Chryseis,  daughter  of 
Chryses,  priest  of  Apollo,  had  fallen  to  the  share  of  Aga- 
memnon. Chryses  came  bearing  the  sacred  emblems  of 
his  office,  and  begged  the  release  of  his  daughter.  Aga- 
memnon refused.  Thereupon  Chryses  implored  Apollo  to 
afflict  the  Greeks  till  they  should  be  forced  to  yield  their 
prey.  ApoUo  granted  the  prayer  of  his  priest,  and  sent 
pestilence  into  the  Grecian  camp.  Then  a  council  was 
called  to  deliberate  how  to  allay  the  wrath  of  the  gods  and 
avert  the  plague.  Achilles  boldly  charged  their  misfor- 
tunes upon  Agamemnon  as  caused  by  his  withholding 
Chryseis.  Agamemnon  enraged  consented  to  relinquish 
his  captive,  but  demanded  that  Achilles  should  yield  to 
him  in  her  stead  Briseis,  a  maiden  who  had  fallen  to 
Achilles'  share  in  the  division  of  the  spoil.  Achilles  sub- 
mitted, but  forthwith  declared  that  he  would  take  no  fur- 
ther part  in  the  war.  He  withdrew  his  forces  from  the 
general  camp  and  openly  avowed  his  intention  of  return- 
ing home  to  Greece. 

The  gods  and  goddesses  interested  themselves  as  much 
in  this  famous  war  as  the  parties  themselves.  It  was  well 
known  to  them  that  fate  had  decreed  that  Troy  should  fall, 
at  last,  if  her  enemies  should  persevere  and  not  volunta- 
rily abandon  the  enterprise.  Yet  there  was  room  enough 
left  for  chance  to  excite  by  turns  the  hopes  and  fears  of 
the  powers  above  who  took  part  with  either  side.  Juno 
and  Minerva,  in  consequence  of  the  slight  put  upon  their 
charms  by  Paris,  were  hostile  to  the  Trojans  ;  Venus  for 


I 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES.  295 

the  opposite  cause  favored  them.  Venus  enlisted  her  ad- 
mirer Mars  on  the  same  side,  but  Neptune  favored  the 
Greeks.  Apollo  was  neutral,  sometimes  taking  one  side, 
sometimes  the  other,  and  Jove  himself,  though  he  loved 
the  good  King  Priam,  yet  exercised  a  degree  of  impar- 
tiality ;  not  however  without  exceptions. 

Thetis,  the  mother  of  Achilles,  warmly  resented  the 
injury  done  to  her  son.  She  repaired  immediately  to 
Jove's  palace  and  besought  him  to  make  the  Greeks 
repent  of  their  injustice  to  Achilles  by  granting  success 
to  the  Trojan  arms.  Jupiter  consented ;  and  in  the  battle 
which  ensued  the  Trojans  were  completely  successful. 
The  Greeks  were  driven  from  the  field  and  took  refuge  in 
their  ships. 

Then  Agamemnon  called  a  council  of  his  wisest  and 
bravest  chiefs.  Nestor  advised  that  an  embassy  should  be 
sent  to  Achilles  to  persuade  him  to  return  to  the  field ; 
that  Agamemnon  should  yield  the  maiden,  the  cause  of  the 
dispute,  with  ample  gifts  to  atone  for  the  wrong  he  had 
done.  Agamemnon  consented,  and  Ulysses,  Ajax,  and 
Phcenix  were  sent  to  carry  to  Achilles  the  penitent  mes- 
sage. They  performed  that  duty,  but  Achilles  was  deaf 
to  their  entreaties.  He  positively  refused  to  return  to  the 
field,  and  persisted  in  his  resolution  to  embark  for  Greece 
without  delay. 

The  Greeks  had  constructed  a  rampart  around  their 
ships,  and  now  instead  of  besieging  Troy  they  were  in  a 
manner  besieged  themselves,  within  their  rampart.  The 
next  day  after  the  unsuccessful  embassy  to  Achilles,  a 
battle  was  fought,  and  the  Trojans,  favored  by  Jove,  were 
successful,  and  succeeded  in  forcing  a  passage  through  the 
Grecian  rampart,  and  were  about  to  set  fire  to  the  ships. 
Neptune,  seeing  the  Greeks  so  pressed,  came  to  their  res- 


296  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

cue.  He  appeared  in  the  form  of  Calchas  the  prophet, 
encouraged  the  warriors  with  his  shouts  and  appealed  to 
each  individually  till  he  raised  their  ardor  to  such  a  pitch 
that  they  forced  the  Trojans  to  give  way.  Ajax  performed 
prodigies  of  valor,  and  at  length  encountered  Hector. 
Ajax  shouted  defiance,  to  which  Hector  replied,  and  hurled 
his  lance  at  the  huge  warrior.  It  was  well  aimed  and 
struck  Ajax  where  the  belts  that  bore  his  sword  and  shield 
crossed  each  other  on  the  breast.  The  double  guard  pre- 
vented its  penetrating  and  it  fell  harmless.  Then  Ajax 
seizing  a  huge  stone,  one  of  those  that  served  to  prop  the 
ships,  hurled  it  at  Hector.  It  struck  him  in  the  neck  and 
stretched  him  on  the  plain.  His  followers  instantly  seized 
him  and  bore  him  off  stunned  and  wounded. 

While  Neptune  was  thus  aiding  the  Greeks  and  driving 
back  the  Trojans,  Jupiter  saw  nothing  of  what  was  going 
on,  for  his  attention  had  been  drawn  from  the  field  by  the 
wiles  of  Juno.  That  goddess  had  arrayed  herself  in  all 
her  charms,  and  to  crown  all  had  borrowed  of  Venus  her 
girdle  called  Cestus,  which  had  the  effect  to  heighten  the 
wearer's  charms  to  such  a  degree  that  they  were  quite 
irresistible.  So  prepared,  Juno  went  to  join  her  husband, 
who  sat  on  Olympus  watching  the  battle.  When  he  be- 
held her  she  looked  so  charming  that  the  fondness  of  his 
early  love  revived,  and,  forgetting  the  contending  armies 
and  all  other  affairs  of  state,  he  thought  only  of  her  and 
let  the  battle  go  as  it  would. 

But  this  absorption  did  not  continue  long,  and  when, 
upon  turning  his  eyes  downward,  he  beheld  Hector  stretched 
on  the  plain  almost  lifeless  from  pain  and  bruises,  he  dis- 
missed Juno  in  a  rage,  commanding  her  to  send  Iris  and 
ApoUo  to  him.  When  Iris  came  he  sent  her  with  a  stern 
message  to  Neptune,  ordering  him  instantly  to  quit  the 


STORIKS    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  297 

field.  Apollo  was  despatched  to  heal  Hector's  bruises 
and  to  inspirit  his  heart.  These  orders  were  obeyed  with 
such  speed  that  while  tlie  battle  still  raged,  Hector  returned 
to  the  field  and  Neptune  betook  himself  to  his  own  do- 
minions. 

An  arrow  from  Paris's  bow  wounded  Machaon,  son  of 
^sculapius,  who  inherited  his  father's  art  of  healing,  and 
was  therefore  of  great  value  to  the  Greeks  as  their  sur- 
geon, besides  being  one  of  their  bravest  warriors.  Nestor 
took  Machaon  in  his  chariot  and  conveyed  him  from  the 
field.  As  they  passed  the  ships  of  Achilles,  that  hero, 
looking  out  over  the  field,  saw  the  chariot  of  Nestor  and 
recognized  the  old  chief,  but  could  not  discern  who  the 
wounded  chief  was.  So  calling  Patroclus,  his  companion 
and  dearest  friend,  he  sent  him  to  Nestor's  tent  to  inquire. 

Patroclus,  arriving  at  Nestor's  tent,  saw  Machaon 
wounded,  and  having  told  the  cause  of  his  coming  would 
have  hastened  away,  but  Nestor  detained  him,  to  tell  him 
the  extent  of  the  Grecian  calamities.  He  reminded  him 
also  how,  at  the  time  of  departing  for  Troy,  Achilles  and 
himself  had  been  charged  by  their  respective  fathers  with 
different  advice  ;  Achilles  to  aspire  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
glory,  Patroclus,  as  the  elder,  to  keep  watch  over  his 
friend,  and  to  guide  his  inexperience.  "  Now,"  said  Nes- 
tor, "  is  the  time  for  such  influence.  If  the  gods  so  please, 
thou  mayest  win  him  back  to  the  common  cause ;  but  if  not 
let  him  at  least  send  his  soldiers  to  the  field,  and  come 
thou  Patroclus  clad  in  his  armor,  and  perhaps  the  very 
sight  of  it  may  drive  back  the  Trojans." 

Patroclus  was  strongly  moved  with  this  address,  and 
hastened  back  to  Achilles  revolving  in  his  mind  all  he  had 
seen  and  heard.  He  told  the  prince  the  sad  condition  of 
affairs   at  the   camp  of  their  late  associates ;   Diomede, 


298  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

Ulysses,  Agamemnon,  Machaon,  all  wounded,  the  rampart 
broken  down,  the  enemy  among  the  ships  preparing  to 
burn  them,  and  thus  to  cut  off  all  means  of  return  to 
Greece.  While  they  spoke  the  flames  burst  forth  from 
one  of  the  ships.  Achilles,  at  the  sight,  relented  so  far  as 
to  grant  Patroclus  his  request  to  lead  the  Myiinidons  (for 
so  were  Achilles'  soldiers  called)  to  the  field,  and  to  lend 
him  his  armor  that  he  might  thereby  strike  more  terror 
into  the  minds  of  the  Trojans.  Without  delay  the  soldiers 
were  marshalled,  Patroclus  put  on  the  radiant  armor  and 
mounted  the  chariot  of  Achilles,  and  led  forth  the  men 
ardent  for  battle.  But  before  he  went,  Achilles  strictly 
charged  him  that  he  should  be  content  with  repelling  the 
foe.  "  Seek  not,"  said  he,  "  to  press  the  Trojans  without 
me,  lest  thou  add  still  more  to  the  disgrace  already  mine." 
Then  exhorting  the  troops  to  do  their  best  he  dismissed 
them  full  of  ardor  to  the  light. 

Patroclus  and  his  INIyrmidons  at  once  plunged  into  the 
contest  where  it  raged  hottest ;  at  the  sight  of  which  the 
joyful  Grecians  shouted  and  the  ships  reechoed  the  ac- 
claim. The  Trojans,  at  the  sight  of  the  well-known  armor, 
struck  with  terror,  looked  every  where  for  refuge.  First 
those  who  had  got  possession  of  the  ship  and  set  it  on  fire 
left  and  allowed  the  Grecians  to  retake  it  and  extinguish 
the  flames.  Then  the  rest  of  the  Trojans  fled  in  dismay. 
Ajax,  Menelaus,  and  the  two  sons  of  Nestor  performed 
prodigies  of  valor.  Hector  was  forced  to  turn  his  horses' 
heads  and  retire  from  the  enclosure,  leaving  his  men  en- 
tangled in  the  fosse  to  escape  as  they  could.  Patroclus 
drove  them  before  him,  slaying  many,  none  daring  to  make 
a  stand  against  him. 

At  last  Sarpedon,  son  of  Jove,  ventured  to  oppose  him- 
self in  fight  to  Patroclus.     Jupiter  looked  down  upon  him 


STORIKS    OV    GODS    AND    HEROES.  299 

and  would  have  snatched  him  from  the  fate  which  awaited 
him,  but  Juno  liinted  that  if  he  did  so  it  would  induce  all 
others  of  the  inliabitants  of  heaven  to  interpose  in  like 
manner  whenever  any  of  their  offspring  were  endangered ; 
to  which  reason  Jove  yielded.  Sarpedon  threw  his  spear 
but  missed  I'atroclus,  but  Patroclus  threw  his  with  better 
success.  It  piei'ced  Sarpedon's  breast  and  he  fell,  and, 
calling  to  his  friends  to  save  his  body  from  the  foe,  expired. 
Then  a  furious  contest  arose  for  the  possession  of  the 
corpse.  The  Greeks  succeeded  and  stripped  Sarpedon 
of  his  armor ;  but  Jove  would  not  allow  the  remains  of 
his  son  to  be  dishonored,  and  by  his  command  Apollo 
snatched  from  the  midst  of  the  combatants  the  body  of 
Sarpedon  and  committed  it  to  the  care  of  tlie  twin  brothers 
Death  and  Sleep,  by  whom  it  was  transported  to  Lycia, 
the  native  land  of  Sarpedon,  where  it  received  due  funeral 
rites. 

Thus  far  Patroclus  had  succeeded  to  his  utmost  wish  in 
repelling  the  Trojans  and  relieving  his  countrymen,  but 
now  came  a  change  of  fortune.  Hectoi',  borne  in  his 
chariot,  confronted  him.  Patroclus  threw  a  vast  stone  at 
Hector,  which  missed  its  aim,  but  smote  Cebriones,  the 
charioteer,  and  knocked  him  from  the  car.  Hector  leaped 
from  the  chariot  to  rescue  his  friend,  and  Patroclus  also 
descended  to  complete  his  victory.  Thus  the  two  heroes 
met  face  to  face.  At  this  decisive  moment  the  poet,  as  if 
i-eluctant  to  give  Hector  the  glory,  records  that  Phosbus 
took  part  against  Patroclus.  He  struck  the  helmet  from 
his  head  and  the  lance  from  his  hand.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment an  obscure  Trojan  wounded  him  in  the  back,  and 
Hector  pressing  forward  pierced  him  with  his  spear.  He 
fell  mortally  wounded. 

Then  arose  a  tremendous  conflict  for  the  body  of  Patro- 


300  STORIES   OP   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

clus,  but  his  armor  was  at  once  taken  possession  of  by 
Hector,  who  retiring  a  short  distance  divested  himself  of 
his  own  armor  and  put  on  that  of  Achilles,  then  returned 
to  the  fight.  Ajax  and  Menelaus  defended  the  body,  and 
Hector  and  his  bravest  warriors  struggled  to  capture  it. 
The  battle  raged  with  equal  fortunes,  when  Jove  enveloped 
the  whole  face  of  heaven  with  a  dark  cloud.  The  light- 
ning flashed,  the  thunder  roared,  and  Ajax,  looking  round 
for  some  one  whom  he  might  despatch  to  Achilles  to  tell 
him  of  the  death  of  his  friend  and  of  the  imminent  danger 
that  his  remains  would  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
could  see  no  suitable  messenger.  It  was  then  that  he  ex- 
claimed in  those  famous  lines  so  often  quoted,  — 

"  Father  of  heaven  and  earth  !  deliver  thou 
Achaia's  host  from  darkness  ;  clear  the  skies ; 
Give  day ;  and,  since  thy  sovereign  will  is  such, 
Destruction  with  it ;  but,  O,  give  us  day." 

CoxjDiyer. 

Or,  as  rendered  by  Pope,  — 

"  Lord  of  earth  and  air  ! 
O  king !  O  father  !  hear  my  humble  prayer  ! 
Dispel  this  cloud,  the  light  of  heaven  restore ; 
Give  me  to  see  and  Ajax  asks  no  more ; 
If  Greece  must  perish  we  thy  will  obey, 
But  let  us  perish  in  the  face  of  day." 

Jupiter  heard  the  prayer  and  dispersed  the  clouds. 
Then  Ajax  sent  Antilochus  to  Achilles  with  the  intelli- 
gence of  Patroclus's  death,  and  of  the  conflict  raging  for  his 
remains.  The  Greeks  at  last  succeeded  in  bearing  off"  the 
body  to  the  ships,  closely  pursued  by  Hector  and  ^neaa 
and  the  rest  of  the  Trojans. 

Achilles  heard  the  fate  of  his  friend  with  such  distress 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES.  301 

that  Antilochus  feared  for  a  while  that  he  would  desti'oy 
Ixirasolf.  His  groans  readied  the  ears  of  his  mother 
Thetis,  far  down  in  the  deeps  of  ocean  where  she  abode, 
and  she  hastened  to  him  to  inquire  the  cause.  She  found 
him  overwhelmed  with  self-reproach  that  he  had  indulged 
his  resentment  so  far,  and  suffered  his  friend  to  fall  a  victim 
to  it.  But  his  only  consolation  was  the  hope  of  revenge. 
He  would  fly  instantly  in  search  of  Hector.  But  his 
mother  reminded  him  that  he  was  now  without  armor, 
and  promised  him,  if  he  would  but  wait  till  the  morrow, 
she  would  procure  for  him  a  suit  of  armor  from  Vulcan 
more  than  equal  to  that  he  had  lost.  He  consented,  and 
Thetis  immediately  repaired  to  Vulcan's  palace.  She 
found  him  busy  at  his  forge  making  tripods  for  his  own 
use,  so  artfully  constructed  that  they  moved  forward  of 
their  own  accord  when  wanted,  and  retired  again  when 
dismissed.  On  hearing  the  request  of  Thetis,  Vulcan 
immediately  laid  aside  his  work  and  hastened  to  comply 
with  her  wishes.  He  fabricated  a  splendid  suit  of  armor 
for  AchiUes,  first  a  shield  adorned  with  elaborate  devices, 
then  a  helmet  crested  with  gold,  then  a  corselet  and  greaves 
of  impenetrable  temper,  all  perfectly  adapted  to  his  form 
and  of  consummate  workmanship.  It  was  all  done  in  one 
night,  and  Thetis,  receiving  it,  descended  with  it  to  earth 
and  laid  it  down  at  Achilles'  feet  at  the  dawn  of  day. 

The  first  glow  of  pleasure  that  Achilles  had  felt  since 
the  death  of  Patroclus  was  at  the  sight  of  this  splendid 
armor.  And  now  arrayed  in  it,  he  went  forth  into  the 
camp  calling  all  the  chiefs  to  council.  When  they  were 
all  assembled  he  addressed  them.  Eenouncing  his  dis- 
pleasure against  Agamemnon  and  bitterly  lamenting  the 
miseries  that  had  resulted  from  it,  he  called  on  them  to 
proceed  at  once  to  the  field.  Agamemnon  made  a  suitable 
26 


302  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

reply,  laying  all  the  blame  on  Ate,  the  goddess  of  discord ; 
and  thereupon  complete  reconcilement  took  place  between 
the  heroes. 

Then  Achilles  went  forth  to  battle  inspired  with  a  rage 
and  thirst  for  vengeance  that  made  him  irresistible.  The 
bravest  warriors  fled  before  him  or  fell  by  his  lance.  Hec- 
tor, cautioned  by  Apollo,  kept  aloof;  but  the  god,  assum- 
ing the  form  of  one  of  Priam's  sons,  Lycaon,  urged  JEneas 
to  encounter  the  terrible  warrior,  ^neas,  though  he  felt 
himself  unequal,  did  not  decline  the  combat.  He  hurled 
his  spear  with  all  his  force  against  the  shield  the  work  of 
Vulcan.  It  was  formed  of  five  metal  plates ;  two  were  of 
brass,  two  of  tin,  and  one  of  gold.  The  spear  pierced  two 
thicknesses,  but  was  stopped  in  the  third.  Achilles  threw 
his  with  better  success.  It  pierced  through  the  shield  of 
^neas,  but  glanced  near  his  shoulder  and  made  no  wound. 
Then  ^neas  seized  a  stone,  such  as  two  men  of  modern 
times  could  hardly  lift,  and  was  about  to  throw  it,  and 
Achilles,  with  sword  drawn,  was  about  to  rush  upon  him, 
when  Neptune,  who  looked  out  upon  the  contest,  moved 
with  pity  for  -^neas,  who  he  saw  would  surely  fall  a  victim 
if  not  speedily  rescued,  spread  a  cloud  between  the  com- 
batants, and  lifting  iEneas  from  the  ground,  bore  him  over 
the  heads  of  warriors  and  steeds  to  the  rear  of  the  battle. 
Achilles,  when  the  mist  cleared  away,  looked  round  in  vain 
for  his  adversary,  and  acknowledging  the  prodigy,  turned 
his  arms  against  other  champions.  But  none  dared  stand 
before  him,  and  Priam  looking  down  from  his  city  walls 
beheld  his  whole  army  in  full  flight  towards  the  city.  He 
gave  command  to  open  wide  the  gates  to  receive  the  fugi- 
tives, and  to  shut  them  as  soon  as  the  Trojans  should  have 
passed,  lest  the  enemy  should  enter  likewise.  But  Achil- 
les was  so  close  in  pursuit  that  that  would  have  been  im- 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  303 

possible  if  Apollo  had  not,  in  the  form  of  Agenor,  Pi-iam's 
son,  encountered  Achilles  for  a  while,  then  turned  to  fly, 
and  taken  the  way  apart  from  the  city.  Achilles  pursued 
and  had  chased  his  supposed  victim  far  from  the  walls, 
when  Apollo  disclosed  himself,  and  Achilles,  perceiving 
how  he  had  been  deluded,  gave  up  the  chase. 

But  when  the  rest  had  escaped  into  the  town  Hector 
stood  without  determined  to  await  the  combat.  His  old 
father  called  to  him  from  the  walls  and  begged  him  to  re- 
tire nor  tempt  the  encounter.  His  mother,  Hecuba,  also 
besought  him  to  the  same  effect,  but  all  in  vain.  "  How 
can  I,"  said  he  to  himself,  "  by  whose  command  the  people 
went  to  this  day's  contest,  where  so  many  have  fallen,  seek 
safety  for  myself  against  a  single  foe  ?  But  what  if  I 
offer  him  to  yield  up  Helen  and  all  her  treasures  and  am- 
ple of  our  own  beside  ?  Ah  no  !  it  is  too  late.  He  would 
not  even  hear  me  through,  but  slay  me  while  I  spoke." 
While  he  thus  ruminated,  Achilles  approached,  terrible  as 
Mars,  his  armor  flashing  lightning  as  he  moved.  At  that 
sight  Hector's  heart  failed  him  and  he  fled.  Achilles 
swiftly  pursued.  They  ran,  still  keeping  near  the  walls, 
till  they  had  thrice  encircled  the  city.  As  often  as  Hector 
approached  the  walls  Achilles  intercepted  him  and  forced 
him  to  keep  out  in  a  wider  circle.  But  Apollo  sustained 
Hector's  strength  and  would  not  let  him  sink  in  weariness. 
Then  Pallas  assuming  the  form  of  Deiphobus,  Hector's 
bravest  brother,  appeared  suddenly  at  his  side.  Hector 
saw  him  with  delight,  and  thus  strengthened  stopped  his 
flight  and  turned  to  meet  Achilles.  Hector  threw  his 
spear,  which  struck  the  shield  of  Achilles  and  bounded 
back.  He  turned  to  receive  another  from  the  hand  of 
Deiphobus,  but  Deiphobus  was  gone.  Then  Hector  un- 
derstood his  doom  and  said,  "  Alas  !  it  is  plain  this  is  my 


304  SToniES  OP  gods  and  iikuoks. 

hour  to  die  !  I  thought  Deiphobus  at  hand,  but  Pallas 
deceived  me,  and  he  is  still  in  Troy.  But  I  will  not  fall 
inglorious."  So  saying  he  drew  his  falchion  from  his  side 
and  rushed  at  once  to  combat.  Achilles  secured  behind 
his  shield  waited  the  approach  of  Hector.  When  he  came 
within  reach  of  his  spear,  Achilles  choosing  with  his  eye  a 
vulnerable  part  where  the  armor  leaves  the  neck  uncov- 
ered, aimed  his  spear  at  that  part,  and  Hector  fell,  death- 
wounded,  and  feebly  said,  "  Spare  my  body  !  Let  my  par- 
ents ransom  it,  and  let  me  receive  funeral  rites  from  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  Troy."  To  which  Achilles  replied, 
"  Dog,  name  not  ransom  nor  pity  to  me,  on  whom  you 
have  brought  such  dire  distress.  No  !  trust  me,  nought 
shall  save  thy  carcass  from  the  dogs.  Though  twenty 
ransoms  and  thy  weight  in  gold  were  offered,  I  would  re- 
fuse it  all." 

So  saying  he  stripped  the  body  of  its  armor,  and  fasten- 
ing cords  to  the  feet  tied  them  behind  his  chariot,  leaving  the 
body  to  trail  along  the  ground.  Then  mounting  the  char- 
iot he  lashed  the  steeds  and  so  dragged  the  body  three 
times  round  the  city.  What  words  can  tell  the  grief  of 
King  Priam  and  Queen  Hecuba  at  this  sight !  His  peo- 
ple could  scarce  restrain  the  old  king  from  rushing  forth. 
He  threw  himself  in  the  dust  and  besought  them  each  by 
name  to  give  him  way.  Hecuba's  distress  was  not  less 
violent.  The  citizens  stood  round  them  weeping.  The 
sound  of  the  mourning  reached  the  ears  of  Andromache, 
the  wife  of  Hector,  as  she  sat  among  her  maidens  at  work, 
and  anticipating  evil  she  went  forth  to  the  wall.  When 
she  saw  the  sight  there  presented,  she  would  have  thrown 
herself  headlong  from  the  wall,  but  fainted  and  fell  into 
the  arms  of  her  maidens.  Recovering  she  bewailed  her 
fate,  picturing  to  herself  her  country  ruined,  herself  a 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  305 

captive,  and  her  son  dependent  for  his  bread  on  the  charity 
of  strangers. 

When  Achilles  and  the  Greeks  had  taken  their  revenge 
on  the  killer  of  Patroclus  they  busied  themselves  in  paj-ing 
due  funeral  rites  to  their  friend.  A  pile  was  erected,  and  the 
body  burned  with  due  solemnity ;  and  then  ensued  games 
of  strength  and  skill,  chariot  races,  wrestling,  boxing,  and 
archery.  Then  the  chiefs  sat  down  to  the  funeral  banquet 
and  after  that  retired  to  rest.  But  Achilles  neither  par- 
took of  the  feast  nor  of  sleep.  The  recollection  of  his 
lost  friend  kept  him  awake,  remembering  their  compan- 
ionship in  toil  and  dangers,  in  battle  or  on  the  perilous 
deep.  Before  the  earliest  dawn  he  left  his  tent,  and  join- 
ing to  his  chariot  his  swift  steeds,  he  fastened  Hector's 
body  to  be  dragged  behind.  Twice  he  dragged  him  round 
the  tomb  of  Patroclus,  leaving  him  at  length  stretched  in 
the  dust.  But  Apollo  would  not  permit  the  body  to  be 
torn  or  disfigured  with  all  this  abuse,  but  preserved  it  free 
from  all  taint  or  defilement. 

While  Achilles  indulged  his  wrath  in  thus  disgracing 
brave  Hector,  Jupiter  in  pity  summoned  Thetis  to  his 
presence.  He  told  her  to  go  to  her  son  and  prevail  on 
him  to  restore  the  body  of  Hector  to  his  friends.  Then 
Jupiter  sent  Iris  to  King  Priam  to  encourage  him  to  go 
to  Achilles  and  beg  the  body  of  his  son.  Iris  delivered 
her  message,  and  Priam  immediately  prepared  to  obey. 
He  opened  his  treasuries  and  took  out  rich  garments  and 
cloths,  with  ten  talents  in  gold  and  two  splendid  tripods 
and  a  golden  cup  of  matchless  workmanship.  Then  he 
called  to  his  sons  and  bade  them  draw  forth  his  litter  and 
place  in  it  the  various  articles  designed  for  a  ransom  to 
Achilles.  When  all  was  ready,  the  old  king  with  a  single 
companion  as  aged  as  himself,  the  herald  Idoeus,  drove 
26* 


306  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEUOES. 

forth  from  the  gates,  parting  there  with  Hecuba  his  queen 
and  all  his  friends,  who  lamented  him  as  going  to  certain 
death. 

But  Jupiter,  beholding  with  compassion  the  venerable 
king,  sent  Mercury  to  be  his  guide  and  pi'otector.  Mer- 
cury, assuming  the  form  of  a  young  warrior,  presented 
himself  to  the  aged  couple,  and  wdiile  at  the  sight  of  him 
they  hesitated  whether  to  fly  or  yield,  the  god  approached, 
and  grasping  Priam's  hand,  offered  to  be  their  guide  to 
Achilles'  tent.  Priam  gladly  accepted  his  offered  service, 
and  he  mounting  the  carriage  assumed  the  reins  and  soon 
conveyed  them  to  the  tent  of  Achilles.  Mercury's  wand 
put  to  sleep  all  the  guards,  and  without  hinderance  he  in- 
troduced Priam  into  the  tent  where  Achilles  sat,  attended 
by  two  of  his  warriors.  The  old  king  threw  himself  at 
the  feet  of  Achilles  and  kissed  those  terrible  hands  which 
had  destroyed  so  many  of  his  sons.  "  Think,  O  Achilles," 
he  said,  "  of  thy  own  father,  full  of  days  like  me,  and 
trembling  on  the  gloomy  verge  of  life.  Perhaps  even 
now  some  neighbor  chief  oppresses  him  and  there  is  none 
at  hand  to  succor  him  in  his  distress.  Yet  doubtless 
knowing  that  Achilles  lives  he  still  rejoices,  hoping  that 
one  day  he  shall  see  thy  face  again.  But  no  comfort 
cheers  me,  whose  bravest  sons,  so  late  the  flower  of  Ilium, 
all  have  fallen.  Yet  one  I  had,  one  more  than  all  the  rest 
the  strength  of  my  age  whom  fighting  for  his  country  thou 
hast  slain.  I  come  to  redeem  his  body,  bringing  ines- 
timable ransom  with  me.  Achilles  !  reverence  the  gods  ! 
recollect  thy  father !  for  his  sake  show  compassion  to  me ! " 
These  words  moved  Achilles  and  he  wept ;  remembering 
by  turns  his  absent  father  and  his  lost  friend.  Moved 
with  pity  of  Priam's  silver  locks  and  beard,  he  raised  him 
from  the  earth  and  thus  spake :   "  Priam,  I  know  that 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  307 

thou  hast  reached  this  place  conducted  by  some  god,  for 
without  aid  divine  no  mortal  even  in  his  prime  of  youth 
had  dared  the  attempt.  I  grant  thy  request ;  moved 
thereto  by  the  evident  will  of  Jove."  So  saying  he  arose, 
and  went  forth  with  his  two  friends,  and  unloaded  of  its 
charge  the  litter,  leaving  two  mantles  and  a  robe  for  the 
covering  of  the  body,  which  they  placed  on  the  litter,  and 
spread  the  garments  over  it,  that  not  unveiled  it  should  be 
borne  back  to  Troy.  Then  Achilles  dismissed  the  old 
king  with  his  attendants,  having  first  pledged  himself  to 
allow  a  truce  of  twelve  days  for  the  funeral  solemnities. 

As  the  htter  approached  the  city  and  was  descried  from 
the  walls,  the  people  poured  forth  to  gaze  once  more  on 
the  face  of  their  hero.  Foremost  of  all,  the  mother  and 
the  wife  of  Hector  came,  and  at  the  sight  of  the  lifeless 
body  renewed  their  lamentations.  The  people  all  wept 
with  them,  and  to  the  going  down  of  the  sun  there  was  no 
pause  or  abatement  of  their  grief. 

The  next  day,  preparations  were  made  for  the  funeral 
solemnities.  For  nine  days  the  people  brought  wood  and 
built  the  pile,  and  on  the  tenth  they  placed  the  body  on 
the  summit  and  applied  the  torch  ;  while  all  Troy  throng- 
ing foi'th  encompassed  the  pile.  When  it  had  completely 
burned,  they  quenched  the  cinders  with  wine,  collected 
the  bones  and  placed  them  in  a  golden  urn,  which  they 
buried  in  the  earth,  and  reared  a  pile  of  stones  over  the 
spot. 

"  Sueli  honors  Ilium  to  her  hero  paid, 
And  peaceful  slept  the  mighty  Hector's  shade. 

P<ype. 


308  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND   HEROEa. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

THE  FALL  OF  TROY  — RETURN  OF  THE  GREEKS  — 
ORESTES  AND  ELECTRA. 

THE   FALL  OP  TROY. 

The  story  of  the  Hiad  ends  with  the  death  of  Hector, 
and  it  is  from  the  Odyssey  and  later  poems  that  we  learn 
the  fate  of  the  other  heroes.  After  the  death  of  Hector, 
Troy  did  not  immediately  fall,  but  receiving  aid  from  new 
allies  stiU  continued  its  resistance.  One  of  these  allies 
was  Memnon,  the  ^Ethiopian  prince,  whose  story  we  have 
already  told.  Another  was  Penthesilea,  queen  of  the 
Amazons,  who  came  with  a  band  of  female  warriors.  All 
the  authorities  attest  their  valor  and  the  fearful  effect  of 
their  war  cry.  Penthesilea  slew  many  of  the  bravest 
warriors,  but  was  at  last  slain  by  Achilles.  But  when  the 
hero  bent  over  his  fallen  foe,  and  contemplated  her 
beauty,  youth  and  valor,  he  bitterly  regretted  his  victory. 
Thersites,  an  insolent  brawler  and  demagogue,  ridiculed 
his  grief,  and  was  in  consequence  slain  by  the  hero. 

Achilles  by  chance  had  seen  Polyxena,  daughter  of 
Bang  Priam,  perhaps  on  occasion  of  the  truce  which  was 
allowed  the  Trojans  for  the  burial  of  Hector.  He  was 
captivated  with  her  charms,  and  to  win  her  in  marriage 
agreed  to  use  his  influence  with  the  Greeks  to  grant  peace 
to  Troy.  WhUe  in  the  temple  of  Apollo,  negotiating  the 
marriage,  Paris  discharged  at  him  a  poisoned  arrow,  which, 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES.  309 

guided  by  Apollo,  wounded  Achilles  in  the  heel,  the  only 
vulnerable  part  about  him.  For  Thetis  his  mother  had 
dipped  him  when  an  mfant  in  the  river  Styx,  which  made, 
every  part  of  him  invulnerable  except  the  heel  by  which 
she  held  him.* 

The  body  of  Achilles  so  treacherously  slain  was  rescued 
by  Ajax  and  Ulysses.  Thetis  directed  the  Greeks  to  be- 
stow her  son's  armor  on  the  hero  who  of  all  the  survivors 
should  be  judged  most  deserving  of  it.  Ajax  and  Ulysses 
were  the  only  claimants ;  a  select  number  of  the  other 
chiefs  were  appointed  to  award  the  prize.  It  was  awarded 
to  Ulysses,  thus  placing  wisdom  before  valor  ;  whereupon 
Ajax  slew  himself  On  the  spot  where  his  blood  sank 
into  the  earth  a  flower  sprang  up,  called  the  hyacinth, 
bearing  on  its  leaves  the  first  two  letters  of  the  name  of 
Ajax,  Ai,  the  Greek  for  "  woe."  Thus  Ajax  is  a  claimant 
with  the  boy  Hyacinthus  for  the  honor  of  giving  birth  to 
tliis  flower.  There  is  a  species  of  Larkspur  which  repre- 
sents the  hyacinth  of  the  poets  in  preserving  the  mem- 
ory of  this  event,  the  Delphinium  Ajacis  —  Ajax's  Lark- 
spur. 

It  was  now  discovered  that  Troy  could  not  be  taken  but 
by  the  aid  of  the  arrows  of  Hercules.  They  were  in  pos- 
session of  Philoctetes,  the  friend  who  had  been  with  Her- 
cules at  the  last  and  lighted  his  funeral  pyre.  Philoctetes 
had  jomed  the  Grecian  expedition  against  Troy,  but  had 
accidentally  wounded  his  foot  with  one  of  the  poisoned 
arrows,  and  the  smell  from  his  wound  jiroved  so  offensive 
that  his  companions  carried  him  to  the  isle  of  Lemnos  and 
left  him  there.     Diomed  was  now  sent  to  induce  him  to 

♦  The  story  of  the  inviilnerahility  of  Achilles  is  not  found  in  Homer, 
and  is  inconsistent  with  his  account.  For  how  could  Achilles  require 
the  aid  of  celestial  armor  if  he  were  invulnerable  ? 


310  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

rejoin  the  army.  He  succeeded.  Philoctetes  was  cured 
of  his  wound  by  Machaon,  and  Paris  was  the  first  victim 
of  the  fatal  arrows.  In  his  distress  Paris  bethought  him 
of  one  whom  in  his  prosperity  he  had  forgotten.  This 
was  the  nymph  Qi^none,  whom  he  had  married  when  a 
youth,  and  had  abandoned  for  the  fatal  beauty  Helen. 
CEnone,  remembering  the  wrongs  she  had  suffered,  refused 
to  heal  the  wound,  and  Paris  went  back  to  Troy  and  died. 
CEnone  quickly  repented,  and  hastened  after  him  with 
remedies,  but  came  too  late,  and  in  her  grief  hung  herself.* 

There  was  in  Troy  a  celebrated  statue  of  Minerva 
called  the  Palladium.  It  was  said  to  have  fallen  from 
heaven,  and  the  belief  was  that  the  city  could  not  be  taken 
so  long  as  this  statue  remained  within  it.  Ulysses  and 
Diomed  entered  the  city  in  disguise  and  succeeded  in  ob- 
taining the  Palladium,  which  they  carried  off  to  the  Gre- 
cian camp. 

But  Troy  still  held  out,  and  the  Greeks  began  to  de- 
spair of  ever  subduing  it  by  force,  and  by  advice  of  Ulys- 
ses resolved  to  resort  to  stratagem.  They  pretended  to 
be  making  preparations  to  abandon  the  siege,  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  ships  were  withdrawn  and  lay  hid  behind  a 
neighboring  island.  The  Greeks  then  constructed  an  im- 
mense wooden  horse,  which  they  gave  out  was  intended  as 
a  propitiatory  offering  to  Minerva,  but  in  fact  was  filled 
with  armed  men.  The  remaining  Greeks  then  betook 
themselves  to  their  ships  and  sailed  away,  as  if  for  a  final 
departure.  The  Trojans  seeing  the  encampment  broken 
up,  and  the  fleet  gone,  concluded  the  enemy  to  have  aban- 
doned the  siege.     The  gates  were  thrown  open,  and  the 

*  Tennyson  has  chosen  (Enone  as  the  subject  of  a  short  poem  ;  but 
he  has  omitted  the  most  poetical  part  of  the  story,  the  return  of  Paris 
■wounded,  her  cruelty  and  subsequent  repentance. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEKOES.  311 

whole  population  issued  forth  rejoicing  at  the  long-prohib- 
ited liberty  of  passing  freely  over  the  scene  of  the  late 
encampment.  The  great  horse  was  the  chief  object  of 
curiosity.  All  wondered  what  it  could  be  for.  Some 
recommended  to  take  it  into  the  city  as  a  trophy  ;  others 
felt  afraid  of  it. 

While  they  hesitate,  Laocoon,  the  priest  of  Neptune, 
exclaims,  "  What  madness,  citizens,  is  this  !  Have  you  not 
learned  enough  of  Grecian  fraud  to  be  on  your  guard 
against  it  ?  For  my  part  I  fear  the  Greeks  even  when 
they  offer  gifts."  *  So  saying  he  threw  his  lance  at  the 
horse's  side.  It  struck,  and  a  hollow  sound  reverberated 
like  a  groan.  Then  perhaps  the  people  might  have  taken 
his  advice  and  desti'oyed  the  fatal  horse  and  aE  its  con- 
tents ;  but  just  at  that  moment  a  group  of  people  appeared 
dragging  forward  one  who  seemed  a  prisoner  and  a  Greek. 
Stupefied  with  terror  he  was  brought  before  the  chiefs, 
who  reassured  him,  promising  that  his  life  should  be 
spared  on  condition  of  his  returning  true  answers  to  the 
questions  asked  him.  He  informed  them  that  he  was  a 
Greek,  Sinon  by  name,  and  that  in  consequence  of  the 
malice  of  Ulysses  he  had  been  left  behind  by  his  country- 
men at  their  departure.  With  regard  to  the  wooden  horse, 
he  told  them  that  it  was  a  propitiatory  offering  to  Miner- 
va, and  made  so  huge  for  the  express  purpose  of  prevent- 
ing its  being  carried  within  the  city;  for  Calchas  the 
prophet  had  told  them  that  if  the  Trojans  took  possession 
of  it,  they  would  assuredly  triumph  over  the  Greeks. 
This  language  turned  the  tide  of  the  people's  feelings  and 
they  began  to  think  how  they  might  best  secure  the  mon- 
strous horse  and  the  favorable  auguries  connected  with  it, 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  478. 


312  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

when  suddenly  a  prodigy  occurred  which  l^^ft  no  room  to 
doubt.  There  appeared  advancing  over  the  sea  two  im- 
mense serpents.  They  came  upon  the  land,  and  the  crowd 
fled  in  all  directions.  The  serpents  advanced  directly  to 
the  spot  where  Laocoon  stood  with  his  two  sons.  They 
first  attacked  the  children,  winding  round  their  bodies  and 
breathing  their  pestilential  breath  in  their  faces.  The 
father  attempting  to  rescue  them  is  next  seized  and  in- 
volved in  the  serpents'  coils.  He  struggles  to  tear  them 
away,  but  they  overpower  aU  his  efforts  and  strangle  him 
and  the  children  in  their  poisonous  folds.  This  event  was 
regarded  as  a  clear  indication  of  the  displeasure  of  the 
gods  at  Laocoon's  irreverent  treatment  of  the  wooden 
horse,  which  they  no  longer  hesitated  to  regard  as  a  sacred 
object  and  prepared  to  introduce  with  due  solemnity  into 
the  city.  This  was  done  with  songs  and  triumphal  accla- 
mations, and  the  day  closed  with  festivity.  In  the  night 
the  armed  men  who  were  enclosed  in  the  body  of  the  horse, 
being  let  out  by  the  traitor  Sinon,  opened  the  gates  of  the 
city  to  their  friends  who  had  returned  under  cover  of  the 
night.  The  city  was  set  on  fire ;  the  people,  OTcrcome 
with  feasting  and  sleep,  put  to  the  sword,  and  Troy  com- 
pletely subdued. 

.  One  of  the  most  celebrated  groups  of  statuai-y  in  exist- 
ence is  that  of  Laocoon  and  his  children  in  the  embrace 
of  the  serpents.  There  is  a  cast  of  it  in  the  Boston  Ath- 
enseum ;  the  original  is  in  the  Vatican  at  Rome.  The 
following  lines  are  from  the  Childe  Harold  of  Byron :  — 

"  Now  turning  to  the  Vatican  go  see 
Laocoon's  torture  dignifying  pain  ; 
A  father's  love  and  mortal's  agony 
With  an  immortal's  patience  blending ;  —  vain 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  313 

The  struggle  !  vain  against  the  coiling  strain 
And  gripe  and  deepening  of  the  dragon's  grasp 
The  old  man's  clinch  ;  the  long  envenomed  chain 
Rivets  the  living  links  ;  the  enormous  asp 
Enforces  pang  on  pang  and  stifles  gasp  on  gasp." 

The  comic  poets  will  also  occasionally  borrow  a  classical 
allusion.  The  following  is  from  Swift's  Description  of  a 
City  Shower :  — 

"  Boxed  in  a  chair  the  beau  impatient  sits, 
While  spouts  run  clattering  o'er  the  roof  by  fits, 
And  ever  and  anon  with  frightful  din 
The  leather  sounds  ;  he  trembles  from  within. 
So  when  Troy  chairmen  bore  the  wooden  steed 
Pregnant  with  Greeks  impatient  to  be  freed, 
(Those  bully  Greeks,  who,  as  the  moderns  do, 
Instead  of  paying  chairmen,  run  them  through  ;) 
Laocoon  struck  the  outside  with  a  spear, 
And  each  imprisoned  champion  quaked  with  fear." 

King  Priam  lived  to  see  the  downfall  of  his  kingdom, 
and  was  slain  at  last  on  the  fatal  night  when  the  Greeks 
took  the  city.  He  had  armed  himself  and  was  about  to 
mingle  with  the  combatants,  but  was  prevailed  on  by 
Hecuba,  his  aged  queen,  to  take  refuge  with  herself  and 
his  daughters  as  a  suppliant  at  the  altar  of  Jupiter. 
While  there,  his  youngest  son  Polites,  pursued  by  Pyr- 
rhus,  the  son  of  Achilles,  rushed  in  wounded,  and  expired 
at  the  feet  of  his  father;  whereupon  Priam,  overcome 
with  indignation,  hurled  his  spear  with  feeble  hand  against 
Pyrx"hus,*  and  was  forthwith  slain  by  him. 

Queen  Hecuba  and  her  daughter  Cassandra  were  car- 
ried captives  to  Greece.  Cassandra  had  been  loved  by 
Apollo,  and  he  gave  her  the  gift  of  prophecy ;  but  after- 

*  Pyrrhus's  exclamation,  "  Not  such  aid  nor  such  defenders  does 
the  time  require,"  has  become  proverbial.    See  ProT.  Exp.  page  478. 
27 


314  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

wards  offended  with  her,  he  rendered  the  gift  unavailing 
by  ordaining  that  her  predictions  should  never  be  believed. 
Polyxena,  another  daughter,  who  had  been  loved  by 
Achilles,  was  demanded  by  the  ghost  of  that  warrior,  and 
was  sacrificed  by  the  Greeks  upon  his  tomb. 


MENELAUS   AND   HELEN. 

Our  readers  will  be  anxious  to  know  the  fate  of  Helen, 
the  fair  but  guilty  occasion  of  so  much  slaughter.  On  the 
fall  of  Troy  Menelaus  recovered  possession  of  his  wife, 
who  had  not  ceased  to  love  him,  though  she  had  yielded 
to  the  might  of  Venus  and  deserted  him  for  another. 
After  the  death  of  Paris  she  aided  the  Greeks  secretly  on 
several  occasions,  and  in  particular  when  Ulysses  and  Di- 
omed  entered  the  city  in  disguise  to  carry  off  the  Palla- 
dium. She  saw  and  recognized  Ulysses,  but  kept  the 
secret,  and  even  assisted  them  in  obtaining  the  image. 
Thus  she  became  reconciled  to  her  husband,  and  they 
were  among  the  first  to  leave  the  shores  of  Troy  for  their 
native  land.  But  having  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the 
gods  they  were  driven  by  storms  from  shore  to  shore  of 
the  Mediterranean,  visiting  Cyprus,  Phoenicia  and  Egypt. 
In  Egypt  they  were  kindly  treated  and  presented  with 
rich  gifts,  of  which  Helen's  share  was  a  golden  spindle 
and  a  basket  on  wheels.  The  basket  was  to  hold  the  wool 
and  spools  for  the  queen's  work. 

Dyer,  in  his  poem  of  the  Fleece,  thus  alludes  to  this 
incident :  — 

" many  yet  adhere 

To  the  ancient  distaff,  at  the  bosom  fixed, 


STORIES    OF    GOD"S    AND    HEROES.  315 

Casting  the  whirling  spindle  as  they  walk. 

*  *  m  »  m 

This  was  of  old,  in  no  inglorious  days,   » 
The  mode  of  spinning,  when  the  Egyptian  prince 
A  golden  distaff  gave  that  beauteous  nymph, 
Too  beauteous  Helen  ;  no  uncourtly  gift." 

Milton  also  alludes  to  a  famous  recipe  foi'  an  invigorat- 
ing draught,  called  Nepenthe,  which  the  Egyptian  queen 
gave  to  Helen  :  — 

"  Not  that  Nepenthes  which  the  wife  of  Thone 
In  Egypt  gave  to  Jove-born  Helena, 
Is  of  such  power  to  stir  up  joy  as  this. 
To  life  so  friendly  or  so  cool  to  thirst." 

Comus. 

Menelaus  and  Helen  at  length  arrived  in  safety  at 
Sparta,  resumed  their  royal  dignity  and  lived  and  reigned 
in  splendor  ;  and  when  Telemachus,  the  son  of  Ulysses,  in 
search  of  his  fatiier,  arrived  at  Sparta,  he  found  Menelaus 
and  Helen  celebrating  the  marriage  of  their  daughter 
Hermione  to  JSTeoptolemus,  son  of  Achilles. 


AGAMEMNON,    ORESTES,   AND   ELECTRA. 

Agamemnon,  the  general-in-chief  of  the  Greeks,  the 
brother  of  Menelaus,  and  who  had  been  drawn  into  the 
quarrel  to  avenge  his  brother's  wrongs,  not  his  own,  was 
not  so  fortunate  in  the  issue.  During  his  absence  his  wife 
Clytemnestra  had  been  false  to  him,  and  when  his  return 
was  expected,  she  with  her  paramour,  -^gisthus,  laid  a 
plan  for  his  destruction,  and  at  the  banquet  given  to  cele- 
brate his  return,  murdered  him. 

It  was  intended  by  the  conspirators  to  slay  his  son 


316  STORIES    OP   GOD'S   AND    HEROES. 

Orestes  also,  a  lad  not  yet  old  enough  to  be  an  object  of 
apprehension,  but  from  whom,  if  he  should  be  suffered  to 
grow  up,  there  might  be  danger.  Electra,  the  sister  of 
Orestes,  saved  her  brother's  life  by  sending  him  secretly 
away  to  his  uncle  Strophius,  King  of  Phocis.  In  the  pal- 
ace of  Strophius  Orestes  grew  up  with  the  king's  son  Py- 
lades,  and  formed  with  him  that  ardent  friendship  which 
has  become  proverbial.  Electra  frequently  reminded  her 
brother  by  messengers  of  the  duty  of  avenging  his  fa- 
ther's death,  and  when  grown  up  he  consulted  the  oracle  of 
Delphi,  which  confirmed  him  in  his  design.  He  therefore 
repaired  in  disguise  to  Argos,  pretending  to  be  a  messen- 
ger from  Strophius,  who  had  come  to  announce  the  death 
of  Orestes,  and  brought  the  ashes  of  the  deceased  in  a 
funeral  urn.  After  visiting  his  father's  tomb  and  sacri- 
ficing upon  it,  according  to  the  rites  of  the  ancients,  he 
made  himself  known  to  his  sister  Electra,  and  soon  after 
slew  both  -^Egisthus  and  Clytemnestra. 

This  revolting  act,  the  slaughter  of  a  mother  by  her 
son,  though  alleviated  by  the  guilt  of  the  victim  and  the 
express  command  of  the  gods,  did  not  fail  to  awaken  in 
the  breasts  of  the  ancients  the  same  abhorrence  that  it 
does  in  ours.  The  Eumenides,  avenging  deities,  seized 
upon  Orestes,  and  drove  him  frantic  from  land  to  land. 
Pylades  accompanied  him  in  his  wanderings  and  watched 
over  him.  At  length  in  answer  to  a  second  appeal  to  the 
oracle,  he  was  directed  to  go  to  Tauris  in  Scythia,  and  to 
bring  thence  a  statue  of  Diana  which  was  believed  to 
have  fallen  from  heaven.  Accordingly  Orestes  and  Py- 
lades went  to  Tauris,  where  the  barbarous  people  were 
accustomed  to  sacrifice  to  the  goddess  all  strangers  who 
fell  into  their  hands.  The  two  friends  were  seized  and 
carried  bound  to  the  temple  to  be  made  victims.     But  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  317 

priestess  of  Diana  was  no  other  than  Iphigenia,  the  sis- 
ter of  Orestes,  Avho,  our  readers  will  remember,  was 
snatched  away  by  Diana,  at  the  moment  when  she  was 
about  to  be  sacrificed.  Ascertaining  from  the  prisoners 
who  they  were,  Iphigenia  disclosed  herself  to  them,  and 
the  three  made  their  escape  with  the  statue  of  the  goddess, 
and  returned  to  Mycenae. 

But  Orestes  Avas  not  yet  relieved  from  the  vengeance 
of  the  Erinyes.  At  length  he  took  refuge  with  Minerva 
at  Athens.  The  goddess  afforded  him  protection,  and 
appointed  the  court  of  Areopagus  to  decide  his  fate. 
The  Erinyes  brought  forward  their  accusation,  and  Ores- 
tes made  tlie  command  of  the  Delphic  oracle  his  excuse. 
When  the  court  voted  and  the  voices  were  equally  divided, 
Orestes  was  acquitted  by  the  command  of  Minerva. 

Byron,  in  Childe  Harold,  Canto  IV.,  alludes  to  the  story 
of  Orestes  :  — 

"  O  thou  who  never  yet  of  human  \vrong 
Left  the  unbalanced  scale,  great  Nemesis  ! 
Thou  who  didst  call  the  Furies  from  the  abyss, 
And  round  Orestes  bade  them  howl  and  hiss, 
For  that  unnatural  retribution,  — just, 
Had  it  but  been  from  hands  less  near,  —  in  this, 
Thy  former  realm,  I  call  thee  from  the  dust !  " 

One  of  the  most  pathetic  scenes  in  the  ancient  drama  is 
that  in  which  Sophocles  represents  the  meeting  of  Orestes 
and  Electra,  on  his  return  from  Phocis.  Orestes  mistak- 
ing Electra  for  one  of  the  domestics,  and  desirous  of 
t keeping  his  arrival  a  secret  till  the  hour  of  vengeance 
should  arrive,  produces  the  urn  in  which  his  ashes  are 
supposed  to  rest.    Electra,  believing  him  to  be  really 


318  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

dead,  takes  the  urn  and  embracing  it,  pours  forth  her  grief 
in  language  full  of  tenderness  and  despair. 

Milton,  in  one  of  his  sonnets,  says,  — 

"  The  repeated  air 
Of  sad  Electra's  poet  had  the  power 
To  save  the  Athenian  walls  from  ruin  bare." 

This  alludes  to  the  story  that  when,  on  one  occasion, 
the  city  of  Athens  was  at  the  mercy  of  her  Spartan  foes, 
and  it  was  proposed  to  destroy  it,  the  thought  was  rejected 
upon  the  accidental  quotation,  by  some  one,  of  a  chorus 
of  Euripides. 

TROY. 

After  hearing  so  much  about  the  city  of  Troy  and  its 
lieroes,  the  reader  will  perhaps  be  surprised  to  learn  that 
the  exact  site  of  that  famous  city  is  still  a  matter  of  dis- 
pute. There  are  some  vestiges  of  tombs  on  the  plain 
which  most  nearly  answers  to  the  description  given  by 
Homer  and  the  ancient  geographers,  but  no  other  evidence 
of  the  former  existence  of  a  great  city.  Byron  thus  de- 
scribes the  present  appearance  of  the  scene :  — - 

"  The  winds  are  high,  and  Helle's  tide 
Rolls  darkly  heaving  to  the  main ; 
And  night's  descending  shadows  hide 

That  field  with  blood  bedewed  in  vain, 
The  desert  of  old  Priam's  pride, 
The  tombs,  sole  relics  of  his  reign, 
All  —  save  immortal  dreams  that  could  beguile 
The  bUnd  old  man  of  Scio's  rocky  isle." 

Bride  of  Abydos. 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 


319 


Polyphemus. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

ADVENTURES  OF  ULYSSES  —  THE  LOTUS-EATERS 
—  CYCLOrES  —  CIRCE  —  SIRENS  —  SCYLLA  AND 
CIIARYBDIS  —  CALYPSO. 

RETURN   OF  ULYSSES. 


The  romantic  poem  of  the  Odyssey  is  now  to  engage 
our  attention.  It  narrates  the  wanderings  of  Ulysses 
(Odysseus  in  the  Greek  language)  in  his  return  from 
Troy  to  his  own  kingdom  Ithaca. 

From  Troy  the  vessels  first  made  land  at  Ismarus,  city 
of  the  Ciconians,  where,  in  a  skirmish  with  the  inhabit- 


320  STORIES    OF    GODS    AXD    HEROES. 

ants,  Ulysses  lost  six  men  from  each  ship.  Sailing  thence 
they  were  overtaken  by  a  storm  which  drove  them  for 
nine  days  along  the  sea  till  they  reached  the  country  of  the 
Lotus-eaters.  Here,  after  watering,  Ulysses  sent  three  of 
his  men  to  discover  who  the  inhabitants  were.  These  men 
on  coming  among  the  Lotus-eaters  were  kindly  entertained 
by  them,  and  were  given  some  of  their  own  food,  the  lotus- 
plant,  to  eat.  The  effect  of  this  food  was  such  that  those 
who  partook  of  it  lost  all  thoughts  of  home  and  wished  to 
remain  in  that  country.  It  was  by  main  force  that  Ulys- 
ses dragged  these  men  away,  and  he  was  even  obliged  to 
tie  them  under  the  benches  of  his  ship.* 

They  next  arrived  at  the  country  of  the  Cyclopes.  The 
Cyclopes  were  giants,  who  inhabited  an  island  of  which 
they  were  the  only  possessors.  The  name  means  "  round 
eye,"  and  these  giants  were  so  called  because  they  had  but 
one  eye,  and  that  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead. 
They  dwelt  in  caves  and  fed  on  the  wild  productions  of 

*  Tennyson  in  the  Lotus-eaters  has  charmingly  expressed  tho 
dreamy,  languid  feeling  which  the  lotus-food  is  said  to  have  produced. 

"  How  sweet  it  were,  hearing  the  downward  stream 
With  half-shut  eyes  ever  to  seem 
Falling  asleep  in  a  half-dream  ! 
To  dream  and  dream,  like  yonder  amber  light 
Which  will  not  leave  the  mjTrh-bush  on  the  height ; 
To  hear  each  others'  whispered  speech ; 
Eating  the  Lotos,  day  by  day. 
To  watch  the  crisping  ripples  on  the  beach, 
And  tender  curving  lines  of  creamy  spray : 
To  lend  our  hearts  and  spirits  wholly 
To  the  influence  of  mild-minded  melancholy ; 
To  muse  and  brood  and  live  again  in  memory, 
With  those  old  faces  of  our  infancy 
Heaped  over  with  a  mound  of  grass, 
Two  handfiils  of  white  dust,  shut  in  an  urn  of  brass." 


STOUIES    OP    GODS    AND    IIKUOKS.  321 

the  island  and  on  what  their  flocks  yielded,  for  they  were 
sheplierds.  Ulysses  left  the  main  body  of  his  ships  at  an- 
chor, and  with  one  vessel  went  to  the  Cyclopes'  island  to 
explore  for  supplies.  He  landed  with  his  companions, 
carrying  with  them  a  jar  of  wine  for  a  present,  and  com- 
ing to  a  large  cave  they  entered  it,  and  finding  no  one 
within  examined  its  contents.  They  found  it  stored  with 
the  riches  of  the  flock,  quantities  of  cheese,  pails  and 
bowls  of  milk,  lambs  and  kids  in  their  pens,  all  in  nice 
order.  Presently  arrived  the  master  of  the  cave,  Poly- 
phemus, bearing  an  immense  bundle  of  firewood,  which  he 
threw  down  before  the  cavern's  mouth.  He  then  drove 
into  the  cave  the  sheep  and  goats  to  be  milked,  and,  enter- 
ing, roUed  to  the  cave's  mouth  an  enormous  rock,  that 
twenty  oxen  could  not  draw.  Next  he  sat  down  and 
milked  his  ewes,  preparing  a  part  for  cheese,  and  setting 
the  rest  aside  for  his  customary  drink.  Then  turning 
round  his  great  eye  he  discerned  the  strangers,  and  growled 
out  to  them,  demanding  who  they  were,  and  where  from. 
Ulysses  replied  most  humbly,  stating  that  they  were 
Greeks,  from  the  great  expedition  that  had  lately  won 
so  much  glory  in  the  conquest  of  Troy ;  that  they  were 
now  on  their  way  home,  and  finished  by  imploring  his  hos- 
pitality in  the  name  of  the  gods.  Polyphemus  deigned 
no  answer,  but  reaching  out  his  hand  seized  two  of  the 
Greeks,  whom  he  hurled  against  the  side  of  the  cave,  and 
dashed  out  their  brains.  He  proceeded  to  devour  them 
with  great  relish,  and  having  made  a  hearty  meal,  stretched 
himself  out  on  the  floor  to  sleep.  Ulysses  was  tempted 
to  seize  the  opportunity  and  plunge  his  sword  into  him  as 
he  slept,  but  recollected  that  it  would  only  expose  them  all 

tto  certain  destruction,  as  the  rock  with  which  the  giant 
had  closed  up  the  door  was  far  beyond  their  power  to 


822  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

remove,  and  they  would  therefore  be  in  hopeless  imprison- 
ment. Next  morning  the  giant  seized  two  more  of  the 
Greeks,  and  despatched  them  in  the  same  manner  as  their 
companions,  feasting  on  their  flesh  till  no  fragment  was  left. 
He  then  moved  away  the  rock  from  the  door,  drove  out 
his  flocks,  and  went  out,  carefully  replacing  the  barrier 
after  him.  When  he  was  gone  Ulysses  planned  how  he 
might  take  vengeance  for  his  murdered  friends,  and  effect 
his  escape  with  his  surviving  companions.  He  made  his 
men  prepare  a  massive  bar  of  wood  cut  by  the  Cyclops 
for  a  staff,  which  they  found  in  the  cave.  They  sharpened 
the  end  of  it  and  seasoned  it  in  the  fire,  and  hid  it  under 
the  straw  on  the  cavern  floor.  Then  four  of  the  boldest 
were  selected,  with  whom  Ulysses  joined  himself  as  a  fifth. 
The  Cyclops  came  home  at  evening,  rolled  away  the  stone 
and  drove  in  his  flock  as  usual.  After  milking  them  and 
making  his  arrangements  as  before,  he  seized  two  more  of 
Ulysses'  companions  and  dashed  their  brains  out,  and  made 
his  evening  meal  upon  them  as  he  had  on  the  others.  Af- 
ter he  had  supped,  Ulysses  approaching  him  handed  him 
a  bowl  of  wine,  saying,  "  Cyclops,  this  is  wine  ;  taste  and 
drink  after  thy  meal  of  man's  flesh."  He  took  and  drank 
it,  and  was  hugely  delighted  with  it,  and  called  for  more. 
Ulysses  supplied  him  once  and  again,  which  pleased  the 
giant  so  much  that  he  promised  him  as  a  favor  that  he 
should  be  the  last  of  the  party  devoured.  He  asked  his 
name,  to  which  Ulysses  replied,  "  My  name  is  Neman." 

After  his  supper  the  giant  lay  down  to  repose,  and  was 
soon  sound  asleep.  Then  Ulysses  with  his  four  select  friends 
thrust  the  end  of  the  stake  into  the  fire  till  it  Avas  all  one 
burning  coal,  then  poising  it  exactly  above  the  giant's  only 
eye,  they  buried  it  deeply  into  the  socket,  twirling  it  round 
as  a  carpenter  does  his  auger.     The  howling  monster  with 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  323 

his  outcry  filled  the  cavern,  and  Ulysses  with  his  aids 
nimbly  got  out  of  his  Avay  and  concealed  themselves  in  the 
cave.  He,  bellowing,  called  aloud  on  all  the  Cyclopes 
dwelling  in  the  caves  around  him,  far  and  near.  They  on 
his  cry  flocked  round  the  den,  and  inquired  what  grievous 
hurt  had  caused  him  to  sound  such  an  alarm  and  break 
their  slumbers.  He  replied,  "  O  friends,  I  die,  and  No- 
man  gives  the  blow."  They  answered,  *•'  If  no  man  hurts 
thee  it  is  the  stroke  of  Jove,  and  thou  must  bear  it."  So 
saying,  they  left  him  groaning. 

Next  morning  the  Cyclops  rolled  away  the  stone  to  let 
his  flock  out  to  pasture,  but  planted  himself  in  the  door  of 
the  cave  to  feel  of  all  as  they  went  out,  that  Ulysses  and 
his  men  should  not  escape  with  them.  But  Ulysses  had 
made  his  men  harness  the  rams  of  the  flock  three  abreast, 
with  osiers  which  they  found  on  the  floor  of  the  cave.  To 
the  middle  ram  of  the  three  one  of  the  Greeks  suspended 
himself,  so  protected  by  the  exterior  rams  on  either  side. 
As  they  passed,  the  giant  felt  of  the  animals'  backs  and 
sides,  but  never  thought  of  their  bellies ;  so  the  men  all 
passed  safe,  Ulysses  himself  being  on  the  last  one  that 
passed.  When  they  had  got  a  few  paces  from  the  cavern, 
Ulysses  and  his  friends  released  themselves  from  their 
rams,  and  drove  a  good  part  of  the  flock  down  to  the  shore 
to  their  boat.  They  put  them  aboard  with  all  haste,  then 
pushed  off  from  the  shore,  and  when  at  a  safe  distance 
Ulysses  shouted  out,  "  Cyclops,  the  gods  have  well  requit- 
ed thee  for  thy  atrocious  deeds.  Know  it  is  Ulysses  to 
whom  thou  owest  thy  shameful  loss  of  sight."  The  Cy- 
clops, hearing  this,  seized  a  rock  that  projected  from  the 
side  of  the  mountain,  and  rending  it  from  its  bed  he  lifted 
it  high  in  the  air,  then  exerting  all  his  force,  hurled  it  in 
the  direction  of  the  voice.     Down  came  the  mass,  just 


324  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

clearing  the  vessel's  stern.  The  ocean,  at  the  plunge  of 
the  huge  rock,  heaved  the  ship  towards  the  land,  so  that  it 
barely  escaped  being  swamped  by  the  waves.  When  they 
had  with  the  utmost  difficulty  pulled  off  shore,  Ulysses  was 
about  to  hail  the  giant  again,  but  his  friends  besought  him 
not  to  do  so.  He  could  not  forbear,  however,  letting  the 
giant  know  that  they  had  escaped  his  missile,  but  waited 
till  they  had  reached  a  safer  distance  than  before.  The 
giant  answei'ed  them  with  curses,  but  Ulysses  and  his 
friends  plied  their  oars  vigorously,  and  soon  regained  their 
companions. 

Ulysses  next  arrived  at  the  island  of  -3?^olus.  To  this 
monarch  Jupiter  had  intrusted  the  government  of  the 
winds,  to  send  them  forth  or  retain  them  at  his  will.  He 
treated  Ulysses  hospitably,  and  at  his  departure  gave  him, 
tied  up  in  a  leathern  bag  with  a  silver  string,  such  winds 
as  might  be  hurtful  and  dangerous,  commanding  fair  winds 
to  blow  the  barks  towards  their  country.  Nine  days  they 
sped  before  the  wind,  and  all  that  time  Ulysses  had  stood 
at  the  helm,  without  sleep.  At  last  quite  exhausted  he 
lay  down  to  sleep.  While  he  slept,  the  crew  conferred 
together  about  the  mysterious  bag,  and  concluded  it  must 
contain  treasures  given  by  the  hospitable  King  ^olus  to 
their  commander.  Tempted  to  secure  some  portion  for 
themselves  they  loosed  the  string,  when  immediately  the 
winds  rushed  forth.  The  ships  were  driven  far  from  their 
course,  and  back  again  to  the  island  they  had  just  left. 
jEolus  was  so  indignant  at  their  folly  that  he  refused  to 
assist  them  further,  and  they  were  obliged  to  labor  over 
their  course  once  more  by  means  of  their  oars. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  325 


THE    LiESTRYGONIANS. 

Their  next  adventure  was  with  the  barbarous  tribe  of 
Laestrygonians.  The  vessels  all  pushed  into  the  harbor, 
tempted  by  the  secure  appearance  of  the  cove,  completely 
land-locked  ;  only  Ulysses  moored  his  vessel  without.  As 
soon  as  the  Laestrygonians  found  the  ships  completely  in 
their  power  they  attacked  them,  heaving  huge  stones  which 
broke  and  overturned  them,  and  with  their  spears  de- 
spatched the  seamen  as  they  struggled  in  the  water.  All 
the  vessels  with  their  crews  were  destroyed,  except  Ulys- 
ses' own  ship  which  had  remained  outside,  and  fin  ^ing  no 
safety  but  in  flight,  he  exhorted  his  men  to  ply  their  oars 
vigorously,  and  they  escaped. 

With  grief  for  their  slain  companions  mixed  with  joy 
at  their  own  escape,  they  pursued  their  way  till  they  ar- 
rived at  the  ^a;an  isle,  where  Circe  dwelt,  the  daughter 
of  the  sun.  Landing  here  Ulysses  climbed  a  hill,  and 
gazing  round  saw  no  signs  of  habitation  except  in  one  spot 
at  the  centre  of  the  island,  where  he  perceived  a  palace 
embowered  with  trees.  He  sent  forward  one  half  of  his 
crew,  under  the  command  of  Eurylochus,  to  see  what  pros- 
pect of  htspitality  they  might  find.  As  they  approached 
the  palace,  they  found  themselves  surrounded  by  lions, 
tigers  and  wolves,  not  fierce,  but  tamed  by  Circe's  art,  for 
she  was  a  powerful  magician.  These  dreadful  animals 
fawned  upon  them,  wagging  their  tails  and  rising  on  their 
hinder  feet,  playful  as  dogs.  The  sounds  of  soft  music 
were  heard  from  within,  and  a  sweet  female  voice  singing. 
Eurylochus  called  aloud  and  the  goddess  came  forth  and 
invited  them  in ;  they  all  gladly  entered  except  Eurylo- 
chus, who  suspected  danger.  The  goddess  conducted  her 
28 


326  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEllOES. 

guests  to  a  seat,  and  had  them  served  with  wine  and  other 
delicacies.  When  they  had  feasted  heartily,  she  touched 
them  one  by  one  with  her  wand,  and  they  became  immedi- 
ately changed  into  swine,  in  "  head,  body,  voice  and  bris- 
tles," yet  with  their  intellects  as  before.  She  shut  them 
in  her  sties  and  supplied  them  with  acorns  and  such  other 
things  as  swine  love. 

Eurylochus  hurried  back  to  the  ship  and  told  the  tale. 
Ulysses  thereupon  determined  to  go  himself,  and  try  if  by 


Ulysses  and  Circe. 

any  means  he  might  deliver  his  companions.  As  he  strode 
onward  alone,  he  met  a  youth  who  addressed  him  famil- 
iarly, appearing  to  be  acquainted  with  his  adventures. 
He  announced  himself  as  Mercury,  and  informed  Ulyssea 
of  the  arts  of  Circe,  and  of  the  danger  of  approaching 
her.     As  Ulysses  was  not  to  be  dissuaded  from  his  at- 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  327 

tempt,  Mercury  provided  him  with  a  sprig  of  the  plant 
Moly,  of  wonderful  power  to  resist  sorceries,  and  instruct- 
ed him  how  to  act.  Ulysses  proceeded,  and  reaching  the 
palace  was  courteously  received  by  Circe,  who  entertained 
him  as  she  had  done  his  companions,  and  after  he  had 
eaten  and  drank,  touched  him  with  her  wand,  saying, 
"  Hence,  seek  the  sty  and  wallow  with  thy  friends."  But 
he,  instead  of  obeying,  drew  his  sword  and  rushed  upon 
her  with  fury  in  his  countenance.  She  fell  on  her  knees 
and  begged  for  mercy.  He  dictated  a  solemn  oath  that 
she  would  release  his  companions  and  practise  no  further 
harm  against  him  or  them ;  and  she  repeated  it,  at  the 
same  time  promising  to  dismiss  them  all  in  safety  after 
hospitably  entertaining  them.  She  was  as  good  as  her 
word.  The  men  were  restored  to  their  shapes,  the  rest 
of  the  crew  summoned  from  the  shore,  and  the  whole 
magnificently  entertained  day  after  day,  till  Ulysses  seemed 
to  have  forgotten  his  native  land,  and  to  have  reconciled 
himself  to  an  inglorious  life  of  ease  and  pleasure. 

At  length  his  companions  recalled  him  to  nobler  senti- 
ments, and  he  received  their  admonition  gratefully.  Circe 
aided  their  departure,  and  instructed  them  how  to  pass 
safely  by  the  coast  of  the  Sirens.  The  Sirens  were  sea- 
nymphs  who  had  the  power  of  charming  by  their  song  all 
who  heard  them,  so  that  the  unhappy  mariners  were  irre- 
sistibly impelled  to  cast  themselves  into  the  sea  to  their 
destruction.  Circe  directed  Ulysses  to  fill  the  ears  of  his 
seamen  with  wax,  so  that  they  should  not  hear  the  strain  ; 
and  to  cause  himself  to  be  bound  to  the  mast,  and  his  peo- 
ple to  be  strictly  enjoined,  whatever  he  might  say  or  do, 
by  no  means  to  release  him  till  tliey  should  have  passed 
the  Sirens'  island.  Ulysses  obeyed  these  directions.  Ho 
filled  the  ears  of  his  people  with  wax,  and  suffered  them 


328  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

to  bind  him  with  cords  firmly  to  the  mast.  As  they  ap- 
proached the  Sirens'  island,  the  sea  was  calm,  and  over 
the  waters  came  the  notes  of  music  so  ravishing  and  at- 
tractive, that  Ulysses  struggled  to  get  loose,  and  by  cries 
and  signs  to  his  people,  begged  to  be  released ;  but  they, 
obedient  to  his  previous  orders,  sprang  forward  and  bound 
him  still  faster.  They  held  on  their  course,  and  the  music 
grew  fainter  till  it  ceased  to  be  heard,  when  with  joy  Ulys- 
ses gave  his  companions  the  signal  to  unseal  their  ears, 
and  they  relieved  him  from  his  bonds. 

The  imagination  of  a  modern  poet,  Keats,  has  discov- 
ered for  us  the  thoughts  that  passed  through  the  brains  of 
the  victims  of  Circe,  after  their  transformation.  In  his 
Endymion  he  represents  one  of  them,  a  monarch  in  the 
guise  of  an  elephant,  addressing  the  sorceress  in  human 
language  thus :  — 

"  I  sue  not  for  my  happy  crown  again  ; 
I  sue  not  for  my  phalanx  on  the  phiin  ; 
I  sue  not  for  my  lone,  my  widowed  wife  ; 
I  sue  not  for  my  ruddy  drops  of  life, 
My  children  fair,  my  lovely  girls  and  boys ; 
I  will  forget  them  ;  I  will  pass  these  joys, 
Ask  nought  so  heavenward  ;  so  too  —  too  high  ; 
Only  I  pray,  as  fairest  boon,  to  die  ; 
To  be  delivered  from  this  cumbrous  flesh. 
From  this  gross,  detestable,  filthy  mesh, 
And  merely  given  to  the  cold,  bleak  air. 
Have  mercy,  goddess  !  Cuce,  feel  my  prayer  !  " 


SCYLLA   AND   CHARYBDIS. 

Ulysses  had  been  warned  by  Circe  of  the  two  monsters 
Scylla  and  Charybdis.     We  have  already  met  with  Scylla 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  829 

in  the  story  of  Glaucus,  and  remember  that  she  was  once 
a  beautiful  maiden  and  was  changed  into  a  snaky  monster 
by  Circe.  She  dwelt  in  a  cave  high  up  on  the  cliff,  from 
whence  she  was  accustomed  to  thrust  fortli  her  long  necks, 
(for  she  had  six  heads,)  and  in  each  of  her  mouths  to  seize 
one  of  the  crew  of  every  vessel  passing  within  reach. 
The  other  terror,  Charybdis,  was  a  gulf,  nearly  on  a  level 
with  the  water.  Thrice  each  day  the  water  rushed  into  a 
frightful  chasm,  and  thrice  was  disgorged.  Any  vessel 
coming  near  the  whirlpool  when  the  tide  was  rushing  in 
must  inevitably  be  ingulphed ;  not  Neptune  himself  could 
save  it. 

On  approaching  the  haunt  of  the  dread  monsters,  Ulys- 
ses kept  strict  watch  to  discover  them.  The  roar  of  the 
waters  as  Charybdis  ingulphed  them,  gave  warning  at  a 
distance,  but  Scylla  could  nowhere  be  discerned.  While 
Ulysses  and  his  men  watched  with  anxious  eyes  the  dread- 
ful whirlpool,  they  were  not  equally  on  their  guard  from 
the  attack  of  Scylla,  and  the  monster  darting  forth  her 
snaky  heads,  caught  six  of  his  men,  and  bore  them  away 
shrieking  to  her  den.  It  was  the  saddest  sight  Ulysses 
had  yet  seen ;  to  behold  his  friends  thus  sacrificed  and 
hear  their  cries,  unable  to  afford  them  any  assistance. 

Circe  had  warned  him  of  another  danger.  After  pass- 
ing Scylla  and  Charybdis  the  next  land  he  would  make 
was  Thrinakia,  an  island  whereon  were  pastured  the  cattle 
of  Hyperion,  the  Sun,  tended  by  his  daughters  Lampetia, 
and  Phaethusa.  These  flocks  must  not  be  violated,  what- 
ever the  wants  of  the  voyagers  might  be.  If  this  injunc- 
tion were  transgressed,  destruction  was  sure  to  fall  on  the 
offenders. 

Ulysses  would  willingly  have  passed  the  island  of  the 
Sun  without  stopping,  but  his  companions  so  urgently 
28* 


380  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

pleaded  for  the  rest  and  refreshment  that  would  be  derived 
from  anchoring  and  passing  the  night  on  shore,  that  Ulys- 
ses yielded.  He  bound  them  however  with  an  oath  that 
they  would  not  touch  one  of  the  animals  of  the  sacred 
flocks  and  herds,  but  content  themselves  with  what  provis- 
ion they  yet  had  left  of  the  supply  which  Circe  had  put 
on  board.  So  long  as  this  supply  lasted  the  people  kept 
their  oath,  but  contrary  winds  detained  them  at  the  island 
for  a  month,  and  after  consuming  all  their  stock  of  provis- 
ions, they  were  forced  to  rely  upon  the  birds  and  fishes 
they  could  catch.  Famine  pressed  them,  and  at  length 
one  day,  in  the  absence  of  Ulysses,  they  slew  some  of  the 
cattle,  vainly  attempting  to  make  amends  for  the  deed  by 
offering  from  them  a  portion  to  the  offended  powers. 
Ulysses,  on  his  return  to  the  shore,  was  horror-struck  at 
perceiving  what  they  had  done,  and  the  more  so  on  ac- 
count of  the  portentous  signs  which  followed.  The  skins 
crept  on  the  ground,  and  the  joints  of  meat  lowed  on  the 
spits  while  roasting. 

The  wind  becoming  fair  they  sailed  from  the  island. 
They  had  not  gone  far  when  the  weather  changed,  and  a 
storm  of  thunder  and  lightning  ensued.  A  stroke  of  light- 
ning shattered  their  mast,  which  in  its  fall  killed  the  pilot. 
At  last  the  vessel  itself  came  to  pieces.  The  keel  and 
mast  floating  side  by  side,  Ulysses  formed  of  them  a  raft, 
to  which  he  clung,  and,  the  wind  changing,  the  waves  bore 
him  to  Calypso's  island.     All  the  rest  of  the  crew  perished. 

The  following  allusion  to  the  topics  we  have  just  been 
considering  is  from  Milton's  Comus,  line  252. 

"  I  have  often  heard 
My  mother  Circe  and  the  Sirens  three, 
Amidgt  the  flowery-kirtled  Naiades, 


STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  331 

Culling  their  potent  herbs  and  baneful  drugs, 
Who  as  they  sung  would  take  the  prisoned  soul 
And  lap  it  in  Elysium.     Scylla  wept, 
And  chid  her  barking  waves  into  attention. 
And  fell  Charybdis  murmured  soft  applause." 

Scylla  and  Charybdis  have  become  proverbial,  to  denote 
opposite  dangers  which  beset  one's  course.  —  See  Proverb- 
ial Expressions,  p.  478. 

CALYPSO. 

Calypso  was  a  sea-nymph,  which  name  denotes  a  nu- 
merous class  of  female  divinities  of  lower  rank,  yet  shar- 
ing many  of  the  attributes  of  the  gods.  Calypso  received 
Ulysses  hospitably,  entertained  him  magnificently,  became 
enamoured  of  him,  and  wished  to  retain  him  forever,  con- 
ferring on  him  immortality.  But  he  persisted  in  his  reso- 
lution to  return  to  his  country  and  his  wife  and  son.  Ca- 
lypso at  last  received  the  command  of  Jove  to  dismiss 
him.  Mercury  brought  the  message  to  her,  and  found  her 
in  her  grotto,  which  is  thus  described  by  Homer :  — 

"  A  garden  vine,  luxuriant  on  all  sides. 
Mantled  the  spacious  cavern,  cluster-hung 
Profuse  ;  four  fountains  of  serenest  lymph. 
Their  sinuous  course  pursuing  side  by  side. 
Strayed  all  around,  and  every  where  appeared 
Meadows  of  softest  verdure,  purpled  o'er 
With  violets ;  it  was  a  scene  to  fill 
A  god  from  heaven  with  wonder  and  delight." 

Calypso  with  much  reluctance  proceeded  to  obey  the 
commands  of  Jupiter.  She  supplied  Ulysses  with  the 
means  of  constructing  a  raft,  provisioned  it  well  for  him, 
and  gave  him  a  favoring  gale.     He  sped  on  his  course 


332  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

prosperously  for  many  days,  till  at  length,  when  in  sight  of 
land,  a  storm  arose  thai  broke  his  mast,  and  threatened  to 
rend  the  raft  asunder.  In  this  crisis  he  was  seen  by  a 
compassionate  sea-nymph,  who  in  the  form  of  a  cormorant 
alighted  on  the  raft,  and  presented  him  a  girdle,  directing 
him  to  bind  it  beneath  his  breast,  and  if  he  should  be  com- 
pelled to  trust  himself  to  the  waves,  it  would  buoy  him  up 
and  enable  him  by  swimming  to  reach  the  land. 

Fenelon,  in  his  romance  of  Telemachus,  has  given  us 
the  adventures  of  the  son  of  Ulysses  in  search  of  his 
father.  Among  other  places  at  which  he  arrived,  following 
on  his  father's  footsteps,  was  Calypso's  isle,  and,  as  in  the 
former  case,  the  goddess  tried  every  art  to  keep  him  with 
her,  and  offered  to  share  her  immortality  with  him.  But 
Minerva,  who  in  the  shape  of  Mentor  accompanied  him 
and  governed  aU  his  movements,  made  him  repel  her  al- 
lurements, and  when  no  other  means  of  escape  could  be 
found,  the  two  friends  leaped  from  a  cliff  into  the  sea,  and 
swam  to  a  vessel  which  lay  becalmed  off  shore.  Byron 
alludes  to  this  leap  of  Telemachus  and  Mentor  in  the  fol- 
lowing stanza :  — 

"  But  not  in  silence  pass  Calypso's  isles, 
The  sister  tenants  of  the  middle  deep ; 
There  for  the  weary  still  a  haven  smiles, 
Though  the  fair  goddess  long  has  ceased  to  weep, 
And  o'er  her  cliffs  a  fruitless  watch  to  keep 
For  him  who  dared  prefer  a  mortal  bride. 
Here  too  his  boy  essayed  the  dreadful  leap, 
Stem  Mentor  urged  from  high  to  yonder  tide  ; 

While  thus  of  both  bereft  the  nymph-queen  doubly  sighed." 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  833 


CHAPTER     XXX. 

THE  PHiEACIANS  — FATE   OF  THE  SUITORS. 
THE  PH^ACIANS. 

Ulysses  clung  to  the  raft  while  any  of  its  timbers  kept 
together,  and  when  it  no  longer  yielded  him  support,  bind- 
ing the  gii'dle  around  him,  he  swam.  Minerva  smoothed 
the  billows  before  him  and  sent  him  a  wind  that  rolled  the 
waves  towards  the  shore.  The  surf  beat  high  on  the 
rocks  and  seemed  to  forbid  approach  ;  but  at  length  find- 
ing calm  water  at  the  mouth  of  a  gentle  stream,  he  landed, 
spent  with  toil,  breathless  and  speechless  and  almost  dead. 
After  some  time  reviving  he  kissed  the  soil,  rejoicing,  yet 
at  a  loss  what  course  to  take.  At  a  short  distance  he  per- 
ceived a  wood,  to  which  he  turned  his  steps.  There  find- 
ing a  covert  sheltered  by  intermingling  branches  alike 
from  the  sun  and  the  rain,  he  collected  a  pile  of  leaves  and 
formed  a  bed,  on  which  he  stretched  himself,  and  heaping 
the  leaves  over  him,  fell  asleep. 

The  land  where  he  was  thrown  was  Scheria,  the  country 
of  the  Phaeacians.  These  people  dwelt  originally  near 
the  Cyclopes ;  but  being  oppressed  by  that  savage  race, 
they  migrated  to  the  isle  of  Scheria,  under  the  conduct  of 
Nausithoijs  their  king.  They  were,  the  poet  tells  us,  a 
people  akin  to  the  gods,  who  appeared  manifestly  and 
feasted  among  them  when  they  offered  sacrifices,  and  did 
not  conceal  themselves  from  solitary  wayfarers  when  they 


334  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

met  them.  They  had  abundarrce  of  wealth  and  lived  in 
the  enjoyment  of  it  undisturbed  by  the  alarms  of  war,  for 
as  they  dwelt  remote  from  gain-seeking  man,  no  enemy 
ever  approached  their  shores,  and  they  did  not  even  re- 
quire to  make  use  of  bows  and  quivers.  Their  chief  em- 
ployment was  navigation.  Their  ships,  which  went  with 
the  velocity  of  birds,  were  endued  with  intelligence  ;  they 
knew  every  port  and  needed  no  pilot.  Alcinoiis,  the  son 
of  Nausithoiis,  was  now  their  king,  a  wise  and  just  sov- 
ereign, beloved  by  his  people. 

Now  it  happened  that  the  very  night  on  which  Ulysses 
was  cast  ashore  on  the  Phaeacian  island,  and  while  he  lay 
sleeping  on  his  bed  of  leaves,  Nausicaa,  the  daughter  of 
the  king,  had  a  dream  sent  by  Minerva,  reminding  her  that 
her  wedding  day  was  not  far  distant,  and  that  it  would  be 
but  a  prudent  preparation  for  that  event  to  have  a  general 
washing  of  the  clothes  of  the  family.  This  was  no  slight 
affair,  for  the  fountains  were  at  some  distance  and  the  gar- 
ments must  be  carried  thither.  On  awaking,  the  princess 
hastened  to  her  parents  to  tell  them  what  was  on  her  mind ; 
not  alluding  to  her  wedding  day,  but  finding  other  reasons 
equally  good.  Her  father  readily  assented  and  ordered 
the  grooms  to  furnish  forth  a  wagon  for  the  purpose.  The 
clothes  were  put  therein,  and  the  queen  mother  placed  in 
the  wagon  likewise  an  abundant  supply  of  food  and  wine. 
The  princess  took  her  seat  and  plied  the  lash,  her  attend- 
ant virgins  following  her  on  foot.  Arrived  at  the  river 
side  they  turned  out  the  mules  to  graze,  and  unlading  the 
carriage,  bore  the  garments  down  to  the  water,  and  work- 
ing with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  soon  despatched  their 
labor.  Then  having  spread  the  garments  on  the  shore  to 
dry,  and  having  themselves  bathed,  they  sat  down  to  enjoy 
their  meal ;  after  which  they  rose  and  amused  themselves 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  335 

with  a  game  of  ball,  the  princess  singing  to  them  while 
they  played.  But  when  they  had  refolded  the  apparel 
and  were  about  to  resume  their  way  to  the  town,  Minerva 
caused  the  ball  thrown  by  the  princess  to  fall  into  the 
water,  whereat  they  all  screamed  and  Ulysses  awaked  at 
the  sound. 

Now  we  must  picture  to  ourselves  Ulysses,  a  shipwrecked 
mariner,  but  a  few  houi-s  escaped  from  the  waves,  and 
utterly  destitute  of  clothing,  awaking  and  discovering  that 
only  a  few  bushes  were  interposed  between  him  and  a 
group  of  young  maidens  whom  by  their  deportment  and 
attire  he  discovered  to  be  not  mere  peasant  girls,  but  of  a 
higher  class.  Sadly  needing  help,  how  could  he  yet  ven- 
ture naked  as  he  was  to  discover  himself  and  make  his 
wants  known  ?  It  certainly  was  a  case  worthy  of  the  in- 
terposition of  his  patron  goddess  Minerva,  who  never  failed 
him  at  a  crisis.  Breaking  off  a  leafy  branch  from  a  tree 
lie  held  it  before  him  and  stepped  out  from  the  thicket. 
The  virgins  at  sight  of  him  fled  in  all  directions,  Nausicaa 
alone  excepted,  for  her  Minerva  aided  and  endowed  with 
courage  and  discernment.  Ulysses,  standing  respectfully 
aloof,  told  his  sad  case,  and  besought  the  fair  object  (wheth- 
er queen  or  goddess  he  professed  he  knew  not)  for  food 
and  clothing.  The  princess  replied  courteously,  promising 
present  relief  and  her  father's  hospitality  when  he  should 
become  acquainted  with  the  facts.  She  called  back  her 
scattered  maidens,  chiding  their  alarm,  and  reminding  them 
that  the  Phaiacians  had  no  enemies  to  fear.  This  man, 
she  told  them,  was  an  unhappy  wanderer,  whom  it  was  a 

I  duty  to  cherish,  for  the  poor  and  sti'anger  are  from  Jove. 
She  bade  them  bring  food  and  clothing,  for  some  of  her 
brothers'  garments  were  among  the  contents  of  the  wagon. 
When  this  was  done,  and  Ulysses  retiring  to  a  sheltered 
i 


336  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIKROES. 

place  had  washed  his  body  free  from  the  sea-foam,  clothed 
and  refreshed  himself  with  food,  Pallas  dilated  his  form 
and  diffused  grace  over  his  ample  chest  and  manly  brows. 

The  princess  seeing  him  was  filled  with  admiration,  and 
scrupled  not  to  say  to  her  damsels  that  she  wished  the 
gods  would  send  her  such  a  husband.  To  Ulysses  she 
recommended  that  he  should  repair  to  ^he  city,  following 
herself  and  train  so  far  as  the  way  lay  through  the  fields ; 
but  when  they  should  approach  the  city  she  desired  that 
he  would  no  longer  be  seen  in  her  company,  for  she  feared 
the  remarks  which  rude  and  vulgar  people  might  make  on 
seeing  her  return  accompanied  by  such  a  gallant  stranger. 
To  avoid  wliich  she  directed  him  to  stop  at  a  grove  ad- 
joining the  city,  in  which  were  a  farm  and  garden  belong- 
ing to  the  king.  After  allowing  time  for  the  princess  and 
her  companions  to  reach  the  city,  he  was  then  to  pursue 
his  way  thither,  and  would  be  easily  guided  by  any  he 
might  meet  to  the  royal  abode. 

Ulysses  obeyed  the  directions  and  in  due  time  proceeded 
to  the  city,  on  approaching  which  he  met  a  young  woman 
bearing  a  pitcher  forth  for  water.  It  was  Minerva  who 
had  assumed  that  form.  Ulysses  accosted  her  and  desired 
to  be  directed  to  the  palace  of  Alcinous  the  king.  The 
maiden  replied  respectfully,  offering  to  be  his  guide ;  for  the 
palace  she  informed  him  stood  near  her  father's  dwelling. 
Under  the  guidance  of  the  goddess  and  by  her  power  envel- 
oped in  a  cloud  which  shielded  him  from  observation,  Ulysses 
passed  among  the  busy  crowd,  and  with  wonder  observed 
their  harbor,  their  ships,  their  forum,  (the  resort  of  heroes,) 
and  their  battlements,  till  they  came  to  the  palace,  where 
the  goddess,  having  first  given  him  some  information  of 
the  country,  king,  and  people  he  was  about  to  meet,  left 
him.     Ulysses,  before  entering  the  court-yard  of  the  paJ- 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  337 

ace,  stood  and  surveyed  the  scene.  Its  splendor  astonished 
him.  Brazen  walls  stretched  from  the  entrance  to  the 
interior  house,  of  which  the  doors  were  gold,  the  door- 
posts silver,  the  lintels  silver  ornamented  with  gold.  On 
either  side  were  figures  of  mastiffs  wrought  in  gold  and 
silver,  standing  in  rows  as  if  to  guard  the  approach.  Along 
the  walls  were  seats  spread  through  all  their  length  with 
mantles  of  finest  texture,  the  work  of  Phoeacian  maidens. 
On  these  seats  the  princes  sat  and  feasted,  while  golden 
statues  of  graceful  youths  held  in  their  hands  lighted 
torches  which  shed  radiance  over  the  scene.  Full  fifty 
female  menials  served  in  household  offices,  some  employed 
to  grind  the  corn,  others  to  wind  off  the  purple  wool  or 
ply  the  loom.  For  the  Phajacian  women  as  far  exceeded 
all  other  women  in  household  arts  as  the  mariners  of  that 
country  did  the  rest  of  mankind  in  the  management  of 
ships.  Without  the  court  a  spacious  garden  lay,  four  acres 
in  extent.  In  it  grew  many  a  lofty  tree,  pomegranate, 
pear,  apple,  fig,  and  olive.  Neither  winter's  cold  nor  sum- 
mer's drought  arrested  their  growth,  but  they  flourished  in 
constant  succession,  some  budding  while  others  were  matur- 
ing. The  vineyard  was  equally  prolific.  In  one  quarter 
you  might  see  the  vines,  some  in  blossom,  some  loaded 
with  ripe  grapes,  and  in  another  observe  the  vintagers 
treading  the  wine  press.  On  the  garden's  borders  flowers 
of  all  hues  bloomed  all  the  year  round,  arranged  with 
neatest  art.  In  the  midst  two  fountains  poured  forth  their 
waters,  one  flowing  by  artificial  channels  over  all  the  gar- 
'  den,  the  other  conducted  through  the  court-yard  of  the 
^_^  palace,  whence  every  citizen  might  draw  his  supplies. 
^H,  Ulysses  stood  gazing  in  admiration,  unobserved  himself, 
^B  for  the  cloud  which  Minerva  spread  around  him  still 
^^t  shielded  him.     At  length  having  sufficiently  observed  the 

I 


338  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

scene,  he  advanced  with  rapid  step  into  the  hall  where  the 
chiefs  and  senators  were  assembled,  pouring  libation  to 
Mercury,  whose  worship  followed  the  evening  meal.  Just 
then  Minerva  dissolved  the  cloud  and  disclosed  him  to  the 
assembled  chiefs.  Advancing  to  the  place  where  the 
queen  sat,  he  knelt  at  her  feet  and  implored  her  favor  and 
assistance  to  enable  him  to  return  to  his  native  country. 
Then  withdrawing,  he  seated  himself  in  the  manner  of 
suppliants,  at  the  hearth  side. 

For  a  time  none  spoke.  At  last  an  aged  statesman,  ad- 
dressing the  king,  said,  "  It  is  not  fit  that  a  stranger  who 
asks  our  hospitality  should  be  kept  waiting  in  suppliant 
guise,  none  welcoming  him.  Let  him  therefore  be  led  to 
a  seat  among  us  and  supplied  with  food  and  wine."  At 
these  words  the  king  rising  gave  his  hand  to  Ulysses  and 
led  him  to  a  seat,  displacing  thence  his  own  son  to  make 
room  for  the  stranger.  Food  and  wine  were  set  before  him 
and  he  ate  and  refreshed  himself. 

The  king  then  dismissed  his  guests,  notifying  them  that 
the  next  day  he  would  call  them  to  council  to  consider 
what  had  best  be  done  for  the  stranger. 

When  the  guests  had  departed  and  Ulysses  Avas  left 
alone  with  the  king  and  queen,  the  queen  asked  him  who 
he  was  and  whence  he  came,  and  (recognizing  the  clothes 
which  he  wore  as  those  which  her  maidens  and  herself 
had  made)  from  whom  he  received  those  garments.  He 
told  them  of  his  residence  in  Calypso's  isle  and  his  depart- 
ure thence ;  of  the  wreck  of  his  raft,  his  escape  by  swim- 
ming, and  of  the  relief  afforded  by  the  princess.  The 
parents  heard  approvmgly,  and  the  king  promised  to 
furnish  a  ship  in  which  his  guest  might  return  to  his 
own  land. 

The  next  day  the  assembled  chiefs  confirmed  the  prom- 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES.  339 

ise  of  the  king.  A  bark  was  prepared  and  a  crew  of 
stout  rowers  selected,  and  all  betook  themselves  to  the  pal- 
ace, where  a  bounteous  repast  was  provided.  After  the 
feast  the  king  proposed  that  the  young  men  should  show 
their  guest  tlieir  proficiency  in  'manly  sports,  and  all  went 
forth  to  the  arena  for  games  of  running,  wrestling,  and 
other  exercises.  After  all  had  done  their  best,  Ulysses 
being  challenged  to  show  what  lie  could  do,  at  first  de- 
clined, but  being  taunted  by  one  of  the  youths,  seized  a 
quoit  of  weight  far  heavier  than  any  the  Pha?acians  had 
tlirown,  and  sent  it  farther  than  the  utmost  throw  of  theirs. 
All  were  astonished,  and  viewed  their  guest  with  greatly 
increased  respect. 

After  the  games  they  returned  to  the  hall,  and  the  her- 
ald led  in  Demodocus,  the  blind  bard,  — 

"  Dear  to  the  Muse, 
Who  yet  appointed  him  both  good  and  ill, 
Took  from  him  sight,  but  gave  him  strains  divine." 

He  took  for  his  theme  the  Wooden  Horse,  by  means  of 
which  the  Greeks  found  entrance  into  Troy.  Apollo  in- 
spired liim,  and  he  sang  so  feelingly  the  terrors  and  the 
exploits  of  that  eventful  time  that  all  were  delighted,  but 
Ulysses  was  moved  to  teai'S.  Observing  which,  Alcinous, 
when  the  song  was  done,  demanded  of  him  why  at  the 
mention  of  Troy  his  sorrows  awaked.  Plad  he  lost  there 
a  father,  or  brother,  or  any  dear  friend  ?  Ulysses  replied 
by  announcing  himself  by  his  true  name,  and  at  their  re- 
quest, recounted  the  adventures  which  had  befallen  him 
since  his  departure  from  Troy.     This  narrative  raised  tlie 

I  sympathy  and  admiration  of  the  Plia^acians  for  their  guest 
to  the  highest  pitcli.     The  king  proposed  that  all  the  chiefs 


340  STOKIES    OP    GODS    AND    IIKROICS. 

should  present  him  with  a  gift,  himself  setting  the  ex<ample. 
They  obeyed,  and  vied  with  one  another  in  loading  the 
illustrious  stranger  with  costly  gifts. 

The  next  day  Ulysses  set  sail  in  the  Phaeacian  vessel, 
and  in  a  short  time  arrived  safe  at  Ithaca,  his  own  island. 
When  the  vessel  touched  the  strand  he  was  asleep.  The 
mariners,  without  waking  him,  carried  him  on  shore,  and 
landed  with  him  the  chest  containing  his  presents,  and 
then  sailed  away. 

Neptune  was  so  displeased  at  the  conduct  of  the  Pha;a- 
cians  in  thus  rescuing  Ulysses  from  his  hands  that  on  the 
return  of  the  vessel  to  port  he  transformed  it  into  a  rock, 
right  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  harbor. 

Homer's  description  of  the  ships  of  the  Phaeacians  has 
been  thought  to  look  like  an  anticipation  of  the  wonders 
of  modern  steam  navigation.     Alcinous  says  to  Ulysses,  — 

"  Say  from  what  city,  from  what  regions  tossed, 
And  what  inhabitants  those  regions  boast  ? 
So  shalt  thou  quickly  reach  the  realm  assigned, 
In  wondrous  ships,  self-moved,  instinct  -with  mind ; 
No  helm  secures  their  course,  no  pilot  guides  ; 
Like  man  intelligent  they  plough  the  tides. 
Conscious  of  erery  coast  and  every  bay 
That  lies  beneath  the  sun's  all-seeing  ray." 

Odyssey,  Book  VIII. 

Lord  Carlisle,  in  his  Diary  in  the  Turkisli  and  Greek 
Waters,  thus  speaks  of  Corfu,  which  he  considers  to  be 
the  ancient  Phfeacian  island  :  — 

"  The  sites  explain  the  Odyssey.  The  temple  of  the 
sea-god  could  not  have  been  more  fitly  placed,  upon  a 
grassy  platform  of  the  most  elastic  turf,  on  the  brow  of  a 


STORIES    OK    GODS    AND    HEROES.  341 

crag  commanding  harbor,  and  channel,  and  ocean.  Just 
at  the  entrance  of  the  inner  harbor  there  is  a  picturesque 
rock  with  a  small  convent  perched  upon  it,  which  by  one 
legend  is  the  transformed  pinnace  of  Ulysses." 

"  Almost  the  only  river  in  the  island  is  just  at  the  prop- 
er distance  from  the  pi'obable  site  of  the  city  and  palace 
of  the  king,  to  justify  the  princess  Nausicaa  having  had 
resort  to  her  chariot  and  to  luncheon  when  she  went  with 
the  maidens  of  the  court  to  wash  their  garments." 


FATE    OF   THE   SUITORS. 

Ulysses  had  now  been  away  from  Ithaca  for  twenty 
years,  and  when  he  awoke  he  did  not  recognize  his  native 
land.  Minerva  appeared  to  him  in  the  form  of  a  young 
shepherd,  informed  him  where  he  was,  and  told  him  the 
state  of  things  at  his  palace.  More  than  a  hundred  nobles 
of  Ithaca  and  of  the  neighboring  islands  had  been  for 
years  suing  for  the  hand  of  Penelope,  his  wife,  imagining 
him  dead,  and  lording  it  over  his  palace  and  people,  as  if 
they  were  owners  of  both.  That  he  might  be  able  to  take 
vengeance  upon  them,  it  was  important  that  he  should  not 
be  recognized.  Minerva  accordingly  metamorphosed  him 
into  an  unsightly  beggar,  and  as  such  he  was  kindly  re- 
ceived by  Eumaeus,  the  swine-herd,  a  faithful  servant  of 
his  house. 

Teleraachus,  his  son,  was  absent  in  quest  of  his  father. 
He  had  gone  to  the  courts  of  the  other  kings,  who  had  re- 
turned from  the  Trojan  expedition.  "While  on  the  search, 
he  received  counsel  from  Minerva  to  return  home.  He 
arrived  and  sought  Eumceus  to  learn  something  of  the 
state  of  affairs  at  the  palace  before  presenting  himself 
29* 


342  ST0RIE9    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

among  the  suitors.  Finding  a  stranger  with  EumoBus,  ho 
treated  him  courteously,  thougli  in  the  garb  of  a  beggar, 
and  promised  him  assistance.  Eumaeus  was  sent  to  the 
palace  to  inform  Penelope  privately  of  her  son's  arrival, 
for  caution  was  necessary  with  regard  to  the  suitors,  Avho, 
as  Telemachus  had  learned,  were  plotting  to  intercept  and 
kill  him.  When  Eumosus  was  gone,  Minerva  presented 
herself  to  Ulysses,  and  directed  him  to  make  himself 
known  to  his  son.  At  the  same  time  she  touched  him, 
removed  at  once  from  hira  the  appearance  of  age  and 
penury,  and  gave  him  the  aspect  of  vigorous  manhood 
that  belonged  to  him.  Telemachus  viewed  him  with  as- 
tonishment, and  at  first  thought  he  must  be  more  than 
mortal.  But  Ulysses  announced  himself  as  his  fathei-, 
and  accounted  for  the  change  of  appearance,  by  explain- 
ing that  it  was  Minerva's  doing. 

"  Then  threw  Telemachus 
His  arms  around  his  father's  neck  and  wept. 
Desire  intense  of  lamentation  seized 
On  both  ;  soft  murmurs  uttering,  each  indulged 
His  grief." 

The  father  and  son  took  counsel  together  how  they 
should  get  the  better  of  the  suitors  and  punish  them  for 
their  outrages.  It  was  arranged  that  Telemachus  should 
proceed  to  the  palace  and  mingle  with  the  suitors  as  for- 
merly ;  that  Ulysses  should  also  go  as  a  beggar,  a  charac- 
ter which  in  the  rude  old  times  had  different  privileges 
from  what  we  concede  to  it  now.  As  traveller  and  story- 
teller, the  beggar  was  admitted  in  the  halls  of  chieftains, 
and  often  treated  like  a  guest ;  though  sometimes,  also,  no 
doubt,  with  contumely.  Ulysses  chatged  his  son  not  to 
betray,  by  any  display  of  unusual  interest  in  him,  that  he 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   nEROES.  343 

knew  him  to  be  other  than  he  seemed,  and  even  if  he  saw 
him  insulted,  or  beaten,  not  to  interpose  otherwise  than  ho 
might  do  for  any  stranger.  At  the  palace  they  found  the 
usual  scene  of  feasting  and  riot  going  on.  The  suitors 
pretended  to  receive  Telemachus  with  joy  at  his  return, 
though  secretly  mortified  at  the  failure  of  their  plots  to 
take  his  life.  The  old  beggar  was  permitted  to  enter,  and 
provided  with  a  portion  from  the  table.  A  touching  inci- 
dent occurred  as  Ulysses  entered  the  court-yard  of  the 
palace.  An  old  dog  lay  in  the  yard  almost  dead  with  age, 
and  seeing  a  stranger  enter,  raised  his  head,  with  ears 
erect.  It  was  Argus,  Ulysses'  own  dog,  that  he  had  in 
other  days  often  led  to  the  chase. 

"  Soon  as  he  perceived 
Long-lost  Ulysses  nigh,  down  fell  his  ears 
Clapped  close,  and  with  his  tail  glad  sign  he  gave 
Of  gratulation,  impotent  to  rise. 
And  to  approach  his  master  as  of  old. 
Ulysses,  noting  him,  wiped  off  a  tear 
Unmarked. 

*    *    *    Then  his  destiny  released 
Old  Argus,  soon  as  he  had  lived  to  see 
Ulysses  in  the  twentieth  year  restored." 

As  Ulysses  sat  eating  his  portion  in  the  hall,  the  suitors 
soon  began  to  exhibit  their  insolence  to  him.  When  he 
mildly  remonstrated,  one  of  them  raised  a  stool  and  with 
it  gave  him  a  blow.  Telemachus  had  hard  work  to  re- 
strain his  indignation  at  seeing  his  father  so  treated  in  his 
own  hall,  but  remembering  his  father's  injunctions,  said  no 
more  than  what  became  him  as  master  of  the  house,  though 
young,  and  protector  of  his  guests. 

Penelope  had  protracted  her  decision  in  favor  of  either 
of  her  suitors  so  long,  that  there  seemed  to  be  no  further 


344  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

pretence  for  delay.  The  continued  absence  of  her  husband 
seemed  to  prove  that  his  return  was  no  longer  to  be  ex- 
pected. Meanwhile  her  son  had  grown  up,  and  was  able 
to  manage  his  own  affairs.  She  therefore  consented  to 
submit  the  question  of  her  choice  to  a  trial  of  skill  among 
the  suitors.  The  test  selected  was  shooting  with  the  bow. 
Twelve  rings  were  arranged  in  a  line,  and  he  whose  arrow 
was  sent  through  the  whole  twelve,  was  to  have  the  queen 
for  his  prize.  A  bow  that  one  of  his  brother  heroes  had 
given  to  Ulysses  in  former  times,  was  brought  from  the 
armory,  and  with  its  quiver  full  of  arrows  was  laid  in  the 
hall.  Telemachus  had  taken  care  that  all  other  weapons 
should  be  removed,  under  pretence  that  in  the  heat  of 
competition,  there  was  danger,  in  some  rash  moment,  of 
putting  them  to  an  improper  use. 

All  things  being  prepared  for  the  trial,  the  first  thing  to 
be  done  was  to  bend  the  bow  in  order  to  attach  the  string. 
Telemachus  endeavored  to  do  it,  but  found  all  his  efforts 
fruitless  ;  and  modestly  confessing  that  he  had  attempted 
a  task  beyond  his  strength,  he  yielded  the  bow  to  another. 
He  tried  it  with  no  better  success,  and,  amidst  the  laughter 
and  jeers  of  his  companions,  gave  it  up.  Another  tried  it 
and  another ;  they  rubbed  the  bow  with  tallow,  but  all  to 
no  purpose ;  it  would  not  bend.  Then  spoke  Ulysses, 
humbly  suggesting  that  he  should  be  permitted  to  try ; 
for,  said  he,  "  beggar  as  I  am,  I  was  once  a  soldier,  and 
there  is  still  some  strength  in  these  old  limbs  of  mine." 
The  suitors  hooted  with  derision,  and  commanded  to  turn 
him  out  of  the  haU  for  his  insolence.  But  Telemachus 
spoke  up  for  him,  and  merely  to  gratify  the  old  man,  bade 
him  try.  Ulysses  took  the  bow,  and  handled  it  with  the 
hand  of  a  master.  With  ease  he  adjusted  the  cord  to  its 
notch,  then  fitting  an  arrow  to  the  bow  he  drew  the  string 
and  sped  the  arrow  unerring  through  the  rings. 


STOltlKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  345 

Without  allowing  thorn  time  to  express  their  astonish- 
ment, he  said,  "  Now  for  another  mark  !  "  and  aimed  direct 
at  the  most  insolent  one  of  the  suitors.  The  arrow  pierced 
through  his  throat  and  he  fell  dead.  Telemachus,  Eumaeus, 
and  another  faithful  follower,  well  armed,  now  sprang  to 
the  side  of  Ulysses.  The  suitors,  in  amazement,  looked 
round  for  arms,  but  found  none,  neither  was  there  any 
way  of  escape,  for  Eumajus  had  secured  the  door.  Ulysses 
left  them  not  long  in  uncertainty  ;  he  announced  himself 
as  the  long-lost  chief,  whose  house  they  had  invaded,  whose 
substance  they  had  squandered,  whose  wife  and  son  they 
had  persecuted  for  ten  long  years  ;  and  told  them  he  meant 
to  have  ample  vengeance.  All  were  slain,  and  Ulysses 
was  left  master  of  his  palace  and  possessor  of  his  king- 
dom and  his  wife. 

Tennyson's  poem  of  Ulysses  represents  the  old  hero, 
after  his  dangers  past  and  nothing  left  but  to  stay  at  home 
and  be  happy,  growing  tired  of  inaction  and  resolving  to 
set  forth  again  in  quest  of  new  adventures. 

"  Come,  my  friends, 
'Tis  not  too  late  to  seek  a  newer  world. 
Push  off,  and  sitting  well  in  order  smite 
The  sounding  furrows  ;  for  my  purpose  holds 
To  sail  beyond  the  sunset,  and  the  baths 
Of  all  the  western  stars,  until  I  die. 
It  may  be  that  the  gulfs  will  wash  lis  down ; 
It  may  be  we  shall  touch  the  Happy  Isles, 
And  see  the  great  Achilles  whom  we  knew ;  "  &c. 


346  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 


JEneas  bearing  Anchises  from  the  flames  of  Troy. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

ADVENTURES    OF    ^NEAS  — THE     HARPIES  — DIDO 
—  PALINURUS. 

ADVENTURES   OP  ^NEAS. 

We  have  followed  one  of  the  Grecian  heroes,  Ulysses, 
in  his  wanderings,  on  his  return  home  from  Troy,  and 
now  we  propose  to  share  the  fortunes  of  the  remnant  of 
the  conquered  people,  under  their  chief  -ZEneas,  in  their 
search  for  a  new  home,  after  the  ruin  of  their  native  city. 
On  that  fatal  night  when  the  wooden  horse  disgorged  its 
contents  of  armed  men,  and  the  capture  and  conflagration 
of  the  city  were  the  result,  ^neas  made  his  escape  from 
the  scene  of  destruction,  with  his  father,  and  his  wife,  and 
young  son.  The  father,  Anchises,  was  too  old  to  walk 
with  the  speed  required,  and  -tineas  took  him  upon  his 
shoulders.     Thus  burdened,  leading  his  son  and  followed 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  347 

by  his  wife,  lie  made  the  best  of  his  way  out  of  tlie  burn- 
ing city ;  but,  in  the  confusion,  his  wife  was  swept  away 
and  lost. 

On  arriving  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  numerous  fugi- 
tives, of  botli  sexes,  were  found,  who  put  themselves  under 
the  guidance  of  -ZEneas.  Some  months  were  spent  in 
preparation,  and  at  length  they  embarked.  They  first 
landed  on  the  neighboring  shores  of  Thrace,  and  were 
preparing  to  build  a  city,  but  -^neas  was  deterred  by  a 
})rodigy.  Preparing  to  offer  sacrifice,  he  tore  some  twigs 
from  one  of  the  bushes.  To  his  dismay  the  wounded  part 
dropped  blood.  AVhen  he  repeated  the  act,  a  voice  from 
the  ground  cried  out  to  him,  "  Spare  me,  iEneas ;  I  am 
your  kinsman,  Polydore,  here  murdered  with  many  arrows, 
fi'om  which  a  bush  has  grown,  nourished  with  my  blood." 
These  words  recalled  to  the  recollection  of  -^neas  that 
Polydore  was  a  young  prince  of  Troy,  whom  his  father 
had  sent  with  ample  treasures  to  the  neighboring  land  of 
Thrace,  to  be  there  brought  up,  at  a  distance  from  the 
horrors  of  war.  The  king  to  whom  he  was  sent  had  mur- 
dered him,  and  seized  his  treasures,  ^neas  and  his  com- 
panions, considering  the  land  accursed  by  the  stain  of  such 
a  crime,  hastened  away. 

They  next  landed  on  the  island  of  Delos,  which  was 
once  a  floating  island,  till  Jupiter  fastened  it  by  adaman- 
tine chains  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Apollo  and  Diana 
were  born  there,  and  the  island  was  sacred  to  Apollo. 
Here  iEneas  consulted  the  oracle  of  Apollo,  and  received 
an  answer,  ambiguous  as  usual,  — "  Seek  your  ancient 
mother ;  there  the  race  of  -ZEneas  shall  dwell,  and  reduce 
all  other  nations  to  their  sway."  The  Trojans  heard  with 
joy,  and  immediately  began  to  ask  one  another,  "Where 
is  the  spot  intended  by  the  oracle  ?  "     Anchises  remem- 


348  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    IIEllOES. 

bered  that  there  was  a  tradition  that  their  forefathers  came 
from  Crete,  and  thither  they  resolved  to  steer.  They 
arrived  at  Crete,  and  began  to  build  their  city,  but  sick- 
ness broke  out  among  them,  and  the  fields  that  they  had 
planted,  failed  to  yield  a  crop.  In  this  gloomy  aspect  of 
affairs,  iEneas  was  warned  in  a  dream  to  leave  the  coun- 
try, and  seek  a  western  land,  called  Hesperia,  whence 
Dardanus,  the  true  founder  of  the  Trojan  race,  had  origi- 
nally migrated.  To  Hesperia,  now  called  Italy,  therefore, 
they  directed  their  future  course,  and  not  till  after  many 
adventures  and  the  lapse  of  time  sufficient  to  carry  a 
modern  navigator  several  times  round  the  world,  did  they 
arrive  there. 

Their  first  landing  was  at  the  island  of  the  Harpies. 
These  were  disgusting  birds,  with  the  heads  of  maidens, 
with  long  claws  and  faces  pale  with  hunger.  They  were 
sent  by  the  gods  to  torment  a  certain  Phineus,  whom  Ju- 
piter had  deprived  of  his  sight,  in  punishment  of  his  cru- 
elty ;  and  whenever  a  meal  was  placed  before  him,  the 
Harpies  darted  down  from  the  air  and  carried  it  off. 
They  were  driven  away  from  Phineus  by  the  heroes  of 
the  Argonautic  expedition,  and  took  refuge  in  the  island 
where  -ZEneas  now  found  them. 

When  they  entered  the  port  the  Trojans  saw  herds  of 
cattle  roaming  over  the  plain.  They  slew  as  many  as 
they  wished,  and  prepared  for  a  feast.  But  no  sooner 
had  they  seated  themselves  at  the  table,  than  a  horrible 
clamor  was  heard  in  the  air,  and  a  flock  of  these  odious 
harpies  came  rusliing  down  upon  them,  seizing  in  their 
talons  the  meat  from  the  dishes,  and  flying  away  with  it. 
^neas  and  his  companions  drew  their  swords  and  dealt 
vigorous  blows  among  the  monsters,  but  to  no  purpose, 
for  they  were  so  nimble  it  was  almost  impossible  to  hit 


STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  349 

them,  and  their  feathers  were  like  armor  impenetrable  to 
steel.  One  of  them,  perched  on  a  neighboring  cliff, 
screamed  out,  "  Is  it  thus,  Trojans,  you  treat  us  innocent 
birds,  first  slaughter  our  cattle,  and  then  make  war  on  our- 
selves?" She  then  predicted  dire  sufferings  to  them  in 
their  future  coui-se,  and  having  vented  her  wrath  flew 
away.  The  Trojans  made  haste  to  leave  the  country,  and 
next  found  themselves  coasting  along  the  shore  of  Epirus. 
Here  they  landed,  and  to  their  astonislmient  learned  that 
certain  Trojan  exiles,  who  had  been  carried  there  as  pris- 
oners, had  become  rulers  of  the  country.  Andromache, 
the  widow  of  Hector,  became  the  wife  of  one  of  the  vic- 
torious Grecian  chiefs,  to  whom  she  bore  a  son.  Her 
husband  dying,  she  was  left  regent  of  the  country,  as 
guardian  of  her  son,  and  had  married  a  fellow-captive, 
Helenus,  of  the  royal  race  of  Troy.  Helenus  and  An- 
dromache treated  the  exiles  with  the  utmost  hospitality, 
and  dismissed  them  loaded  with  gifts. 

From  hence  JEneas  coasted  along  the  shore  of  Sicily, 
and  pj\ssed  the  country  of  the  Cyclopes.  Here  they  were 
hailed  from  the  shore  by  a  miserable  object,  whom  by  his 
garments,  tattered  as  they  were,  they  perceived  to  be  a 
Greek.  He  told  them  he  was  one  of  Ulysses's  compan- 
ions, left  behind  by  that  chief  in  his  hurried  departure. 
He  related  the  story  of  Ulysses's  adventure  with  Polyphe- 
mus, and  besought  them  to  take  him  off  with  them,  as  he 
had  no  means  of  sustaining  his  existence  where  he  was, 
but  wild  berries  and  roots,  and  lived  in  constant  fear  of 
the  Cyclopes.     While  he  spoke  Polyphemus  made  his  ap- 

Ipearance ;  a  terrible  monster,  shapeless,  vast,  whose  only 
eye  had  been  put  out.*     He  walked  with  cautious  steps, 


*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  478. 
30 


350  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEKOES. 

feeling  his  way  with  a  staff,  down  to  the  sea-side,  to  wash 
his  eye-socket  in  the  waves.  When  he  reached  the  water, 
he  waded  out  towards  them,  and  his  immense  height  ena- 
bled him  to  advance  far  into  the  sea,  so  that  the  Trojans, 
in  terror,  took  to  their  oars  to  get  out  of  his  way.  Hear- 
ing the  oars,  Polyphemus  shouted  after  them,  so  that  the 
shores  resounded,  and  at  the  noise  the  other  Cyclopes 
<!ame  forth  from  their  caves  and  woods,  and  lined  the 
shore,  like  a  row  of  lofty  pine  trees.  The  Trojans  plied 
their  oars,  and  soon  left  them  out  of  sight. 

^neas  had  been  cautioned  by  Helenus  to  avoid  the 
strait  guarded  by  the  monsters  Scylla  and  Charybdis. 
There  Ulysses,  the  reader  will  remember,  had  lost  six  of 
his  men,  seized  by  Scylla,  while  the  navigators  were 
whoUy  intent  upon  avoiding  Charybdis.  JEneas  following 
the  advice  of  Helenus  shunned  the  dangerous  pass  and 
coasted  along  the  island  of  Sicily. 

Juno,  seeing  the  Trojans  speeding  their  way  prosper- 
ously towards  their  destined  shore,  felt  her  old  grudge 
against  them  revive,  for  she  could  not  forget  the  slight 
that  Paris  had  put  upon  her,  in  awarding  the  prize  of 
beauty  to  another.  In  heavenly  minds  can  such  resent- 
ments dwell !  *  Accordingly  she  hastened  to  -3^olus,  the 
ruler  of  the  winds,  —  the  same  who  supplied  Ulysses  with 
favoring  gales,  giving  him  the  contrary  ones  tied  up  in  a 
bag.  -^olus  obeyed  the  goddess  and  sent  forth  his  sons, 
Boreas,  Typhon  and  the  other  winds,  to  toss  the  ocean.  A 
terrible  storm  ensued,  and  the  Trojan  ships  were  driven 
out  of  their  course  towards  the  coast  of  Africa.  They 
were  in  imminent  danger  of  being  wi'ecked,  and  were  sep- 
arated, so  that  ^-Eneas  thought  that  all  were  lost  except 
his  own. 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  478. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  351 

At  this  crisis,  Nei^tunc,  hearing  the  storm  raging,  and 
knowing  that  he  had  given  no  orders  for  one,  raised  his 
head  above  the  waves,  and  saw  the  fleet  of  vEneas  driving 
before  the  gale.  Knowing  the  hostility  of  Juno,  he  was 
at  no  loss  to  account  for  it,  but  his  anger  was  not  the  less 
at  this  interference  in  his  province.  He  called  the  winds, 
and  dismissed  them  with  a  severe  reprimand.  He  then 
soothed  the  waves,  and  brushed  away  the  clouds  from 
before  the  face  of  the  sun.  Some  of  the  ships  which  had 
got  on  the  rocks,  he  pried  off  with  his  own  trident,  while 
Triton  and  a  sea-nymph,  putting  their  shoulders  under 
others,  set  them  afloat  again.  The  Trojans,  when  the  sea 
became  calm,  sought  the  nearest  shore,  wliich  was  the 
coast  of  Carthage,  where  ^Eneas  was  so  happy  as  to  find 
that  one  by  one  the  ships  all  arrived  safe,  though  badly 
shaken. 

Waller,  in  his  Panegyric  to  the  Lord  Protector,  (Crom- 
well,) alludes  to  this  stilling  of  the  storm  by  Neptune: — 

"  Above  the  waves,  as  Neptune  showed  his  face, 
To  chide  the  wnds  and  save  the  Trojan  race, 
So  has  your  Highness,  raised  above  the  rest, 
Storms  of  ambition  tossing  us  repressed." 


DIDO. 

Carthage,  where  the  exiles  had  now  arrived,  was  a  spot 
on  the  coast  of  Africa  opposite  Sicily,  where  at  that  time 
a  Tyrian  colony  under  Dido  their  queen,  were  laying  the 
foundations  of  a  state  destined  in  later  ages  to  be  the  rival 
of  Rome  itself.  Dido  was  the  daughter  of  Belus,  king  of 
Tyre,  and  sister  of  Pygmalion  who  succeeded  his  father 
on  the  throne.     Her  husband  was  Sicha;us,  a  man  of  im- 


352  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

mense  wealth,  but  Pygmalion,  who  coveted  his  treasures, 
caused  him  to  be  put  to  death*  Dido,  with  a  numerous 
body  of  friends  and  followers,  both  men  and  women,  suc- 
ceeded in  effecting  their  escape  from  Tyre,  in  several  ves- 
sels, carrying  with  them  the  treasures  of  Sichseus.  On 
arriving  at  the  spot  which  they  selected  as  the  seat  of 
their  future  home,  they  asked  of  the  natives  only  so  much 
land  as  they  could  enclose  with  a  bull's  hide.  When  this 
was  readily  granted,  she  caused  the  hide  to  be  cut  into 
strips,  and  with  them  enclosed  a  spot  on  which  she  built  a 
citadel,  and  called  it  Byrsa,  (a  hide.)  Around  this  fort 
the  city  of  Carthage  rose,  and  soon  became  a  powerful 
and  flourishing  place. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  iEneas  with  his 
Trojans  arrived  there.  Dido  received  the  illustrious  ex- 
iles with  friendliness  and  hospitality.  "  Not  unacquainted 
with  distress,"  she  said,  "  I  have  learned  to  succor  the  un- 
fortunate." *  The  queen's  hospitality  displayed  itself  in 
festivities  at  which  games  of  strength  and  skill  were  ex- 
hibited. The  strangers  contended  for  the  palm  with  her 
own  subjects,  on  equal  terms,  the  queen  declaring  that 
whether  the  victor  were  "  Trojan  or  Tyrian  should  make 
no  difference  to  her."  *  At  the  feast  which  followed  the 
games,  -3]ineas  gave  at  her  request  a  recital  of  the  closing 
events  of  the  Trojan  history  and  his  own  adventures  after 
the  fall  of  the  city.  Dido  was  charmed  with  his  discourse 
and  filled  with  admiration  of  his  exploits.  She  conceived 
an  ardent  passion  for  him,  and  he  for  his  part  seemed  well 
content  to  accept  the  fortunate  chance  which  appeared  to 
offer  him  at  once  a  happy  tei*mination  of  his  wanderings, 
a  home,  a  kingdom,  and  a  bride.     Montlis  rolled  away  in 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  pp.  478,  479. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEIIOES.  353 

the  enjoyment  of  pleasant  intercourse,  and  it  seemed  as  if 
Italy  and  the  empire  destined  to  be  founded  on  its  shores 
were  alike  forgotten.  Seeing  which,  Jupiter  despatched 
Mercury  wdth  a  message  to  iEneas  recalling  him  to  a 
sense  of  his  high  destiny,  and  commanding  him  to  resume 
his  voyage. 

^neas  parted  from  Dido,  though  she  tried  every  allure- 
ment and  persuasion  to  detain  him.  The  blow  to  her 
affection  and  her  pride  was  too  much  for  her  to  endure, 
and  when  she  found  that  he  was  gone,  she  mounted  a 
funeral  pile  which  she  had  caused  to  be  prepai'ed,  and 
having  stabbed  herself  was  consumed  with  the  pile.  The 
flames  rising  over  the  city  were  seen  by  the  departing 
Trojans,  and  though  the  cause  was  unknown,  gave  to 
^neas  some  intimation  of  the  fatal  event. 

The  following  epigram  we  find  in  Elegant  Extracts :  — 

From  tue  Latin. 
"  Unhappy,  Dido,  was  thy  fate 
In  first  and  second  married  state ! 
One  liusband  caused  thy  flight  by  dying, 
Thy  death  the  other  caused  by  flying." 


PALINURUS. 

After  touching  at  the  island  of  Sicily,  where  Acestes,  a 
prince  of  Trojan  lineage,  bore  sway,  who  gave  them  a  hos- 
pitable reception,  the  Trojans  reembarked,  and  held  on 
I  their  course  for  Italy.  Venus  now  interceded  with  Nep- 
tune to  allow  her  son  at  last  to  attain  the  wished-for  goal 
and  find  an  end  of  his  perils  on  the  deep.  Neptune  con- 
lented,  stipulating  only  for  one  life  as  a  ransom  for  the 
I  30* 


354  STORIES    OB'    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

rest.  The  victim  was  Palinurus,  the  pilot.  As  ne  sat 
watching  the  stai*s,  with  his  hand  on  tlie  helm,  Somnus 
sent  by  Neptune  approached  in  the  guise  of  Phorbas  and 
said,  "  Palinurus,  the  breeze  is  fair,  the  water  smooth,  and 
the  ship  sails  steadily  on  her  course.  Lie  down  a  while 
and  take  needful  rest.  I  will  stand  at  the  helm  in  your 
place."  Palinurus  replied,  "  Tell  me  not  of  smooth  seas 
or  favoring  winds,  —  me  who  have  seen  so  much  of  their 
treachery.  Shall  I  trust  -3^neas  to  the  chances  of  the 
weather  and  the  winds  ?  "  And  he  continued  to  grasp  the 
helm  and  to  keep  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  stars.  But  Somnus 
waved  over  him  a  branch  moistened  with  Lethaean  dew, 
and  his  eyes  closed  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts.  Then  Som- 
nus pushed  him  overboard  and  he  fell ;  but  keeping  his 
hold  upon  the  helm,  it  came  aAvay  with  him.  Neptune 
was  mindful  of  his  promise  and  kept  the  ship  on  her 
track  without  helm  or  pilot,  till  .^neas  discovered  his 
loss,  and  sorrowing  deeply  for  his  faithful  steersman  took 
charge  of  the  ship  himself. 

There  is  a  beautiful  allusion  to  the  story  of  Palinurus 
in  Scott's  JVIarmion,  Introduction  to  Canto  L,  where  the 
poet,  speaking  of  the  recent  death  of  William  Pitt,  says,  — 

"0,  think  how,  to  his  latest  day, 
When  death  just  hovering  claimed  his  prey, 
With  Palinure's  unaltered  mood. 
Firm  at  his  dangerous  post  he  stood ; 
Each  call  for  needful  rest  repelled, 
With  dying  hand  the  rudder  held, 
Till  in  his  fall,  with  fateful  sway, 
The  steerage  of  the  realm  gave  way." 

The  ships  at  last  reached  the  shores  of  Italy,  and  joy- 
fully did  the  adventurers  leap  to  land.    "While  his  people 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  355 

were  employed  in  making  their  encampment  -3i^neas  sought 
the  abode  of  the  Sibyl.  It  was  a  cave  connected  with  a 
temple  and  grove,  sacred  to  Apollo  and  Diana.  "While 
-^neas  contemplated  the  scene,  the  Sibyl  accosted  him. 
She  seemed  to  know  his  errand,  and  under  the  influence 
of  the  deity  of  the  place,  burst  forth  in  a  prophetic  strain, 
giving  dark  intimations  of  labors  and  perils  through  which 
he  was  destined  to  make  his  way  to  final  success.  She 
closed  with  the  encouraging  words  which  have  become  pro- 
verbial :  — "  Yield  not  to  disasters,  but  press  onward  the 
more  bravely."  *  JEneas  replied  that  he  had  prepared  him- 
self for  whatever  might  await  him.  He  had  but  one  re- 
quest to  make.  Having  been  directed  in  a  dream  to  seek 
the  abode  of  the  dead  in  order  to  confer  with  his  father 
Anchises  to  receive  from  him  a  revelation  of  his  future 
fortunes  and  those  of  his  race,  he  asked  her  assistance  to 
enable  him  to  accomplish  the  task.  The  Sibyl  replied, 
"  The  descent  to  Avernus  is  easy ;  the  gate  of  Pluto 
stands  open  night  and  day ;  but  to  retrace  one's  steps  and 
return  to  the  upper  air,  that  is  the  toil,  that  the  difiiculty.* 
She  instructed  him  to  seek  in  the  forest  a  tree  on  which 
grew  a  golden  branch.  This  branch  was  to  be  plucked 
off  and  borne  as  a  gift  to  Proserpine,  and  if  fate  was  pro- 
pitious it  would  yield  to  the  hand  and  quit  its  parent  trunk, 
but  otherwise  no  force  could  rend  it  away.  If  torn  away 
another  would  succeed.* 

-^neas  followed  the  directions  of  the  Sibyl.  His  moth- 
er Venus  sent  two  of  her  doves  to  fly  before  him  and 
show  him  the  way,  and  by  their  assistance  he  found  the 
tree,  plucked  the  branch,  and  hastened  back  with  it  to  the 
Sibyl. 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  479. 


856  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND   HEROES. 


2Eneas  and  the  Sibyl  at  the  entrance  to  the  Infernal  Regions. 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 


THE  INFERN^VL  REGIONS  — THE   SIBYL. 


THE    INFERNAL  REGIONS. 


As  at  the  commencement  of  our  series  we  have  given 
the  pagan  account  of  the  creation  of  the  world,  so  as  we 
approach  its  conclusion,  we  present  a  view  of  the  regions 
of  the  dead,  depicted  by  one  of  their  most  enlightened, 
poets,  who  drew  his  doctrines  from  their  most  esteemed; 
philosophers.  The  region  where  Virgil  locates  the  ea 
trance  into  this  abode,  is  perhaps  the  most  strikingly 


STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    HEROES.  357 

adapted  to  excite  ideas  of  the  terrific  and  preternatural 
of  any  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  It  is  the  volcanic  region 
near  Vesuvius,  where  the  whole  country  is  cleft  with 
chasms  from  which  sulphurous  flames  arise,  while  the 
ground  is  shaken  Avith  pent-up  vapors,  and  mysterious 
sounds  issue  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  The  lake 
Avernus  is  supposed  to  fill  the  crater  of  an  extinct  vol- 
cano. It  is  circular,  half  a  mile  wide,  and  very  deep,  sur- 
rounded by  high  banks,  which  in  Virgil's  time  were  cov- 
ered with  a  gloomy  forest.  Mephitic  vapors  rise  from  its 
waters,  so  that  no  life  is  found  on  its  banks,  and  no  birds 
fly  over  it.  Here,  according  to  the  poet,  was  the  cave 
which  afforded  access  to  the  infernal  regions,  and  here 
jEneas  offered  sacrifices  to  the  infernal  deities,  Proser- 
pine, Hecate,  and  the  Furies.  Then  a  roaring  was  heard 
in  the  earth,  the  woods  on  the  hill-tops  were  shaken,  and 
the  howling  of  dogs  announced  the  approach  of  the  deities. 
"  Now,"  said  the  Sibyl,  "  summon  up  your  courage,  for 
you  will  need  it."  She  descended  into  the  cave,  and 
^neas  followed.  Before  the  threshold  of  hell  they  passed 
through  a  group  of  beings  who  are  enumerated  as  Griefs 
and  avenging  Cares,  pale  Diseases  and  melancholy  Age, 
Fear  and  Hunger  that  tempt  to  crime,  Toil,  Poverty,  and 
Death,  forms  horrible  to  view.  The  Furies  spread  their 
couches  there,  and  Discord,  whose  hair  was  of  vipers  tied 
up  with  a  bloody  fillet.  Here  also  were  the  monsters, 
Briareus  with  his  hundred  arms,  Hydras  hissing,  and  Chi- 
ma^ras  breathing  fire.  -3iineas  shuddered  at  the  sight, 
drew  his  sword  and  would  have  struck,  but  the  Sibyl  re- 
-strained him.  They  then  came  to  the  black  river  Cocy- 
[tus,  where  they  found  the  ferryman,  Charon,  old  and 
squalid,  but  strong  and  vigorous,  who  was  receiving  pas- 
sengers of  all  kinds  into  his  boat,  magnanimous  heroes, 


358  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    IIEItOES. 

boys  and  unmarried  girls,  as  numerous  as  the  leaves  that 
fall  at  autumn,  or  the  flocks  that  fly  southward  at  the  ap- 
proach of  winter.  Tliey  stood  pressing  for  a  passage  and 
longing  to  touch  the  opposite  shore.  But  the  stern  ferry- 
man took  in  only  such  as  he  chose,  driving  the  rest  back, 
-^neas,  wondering  at  the  sight,  asked  the  Sibyl,  "  Why 
this  discrimination  ? "  She  answered,  "  Those  who  are 
taken  on  board  the  bark  are  the  souls  of  those  who  have 
received  due  burial  rites ;  the  host  of  others  who  have 
remained  unburied,  are  not  permitted  to  pass  the  flood, 
but  wander  a  hundred  years,  and  flit  to  and  fro  about  the 
shore,  till  at  last  they  are  taken  over."  -^neas  grieved 
at  recollecting  some  of  his  own  companions  who  had  per- 
ished in  the  storm.  At  that  moment  he  beheld  Palinurus, 
his  pilot,  who  fell  overboard  and  was  drowned.  He  ad- 
dressed him  and  asked  him  the  cause  of  his  misfortune. 
Palinurus  replied  that  the  rudder  was  carried  away,  and 
he  clinging  to  it  was  swept  away  with  it.  He  besought 
^neas  most  urgently  to  extend  to  him  his  hand  and  take 
him  in  company  to  the  opposite  shore.  But  the  Sibyl 
rebuked  him  for  the  wish  thus  to  transgress  the  laws  of 
Pluto  ;  but  consoled  him  by  informing  him  that  the  people 
of  the  shore  where  his  body  had  been  w^ifted  by  the  waves, 
should  be  stirred  up  by  prodigies  to  give  it  due  burial,  and 
that  the  promontory  should  bear  the  name  of  Cape  Pali- 
nurus, which  it  does  to  this  day.  Leaving  Palinurus  con- 
soled by  these  words,  they  approached  the  boat.  Chai'on, 
fixing  his  eyes  sternly  upon  the  advancing  warrior,  de- 
manded by  what  right  he,  living  and  armed,  approached 
that  shore.  To  which  the  Sibyl  replied  that  they  would 
commit  no  violence,  that  uEneas's  only  object  was  to  see 
his  father,  and  finally  exhibited  the  golden  branch,  at  sight 
of  which  Charon's  wrath  relaxed,  and  he  made  haste  to 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  359 

turn  liis  bark  to  the  shore,  and  receive  them  on  board. 
The  boat,  adapted  only  to  the  light  freight  of  bodiless  spir- 
its, groaned  under  the  Aveight  of  the  hero.  They  were 
soon  conveyed  to  the  opposite  shore.  There  they  Avere 
encountered  by  the  three-headed  dog  Cerberus,  with  his 
necks  bristling  with  snakes.  He  barked  with  all  his  three 
throats  till  the  Sibyl  threw  him  a  medicated  cake,  which 
he  eagerly  devoured,  and  then  sti-etched  himself  out  in 
his  den  and  fell  asleep.  -ZEneas  and  the  Sibyl  sprang  to 
land.  The  first  sound  that  struck  their  ears  was  the  wail- 
ing of  young  children,  who  had  died  on  the  threshold  of 
life,  and  near  to  these  were  they  who  had  perished  under 
false  charges.  Minos  presides  over  them  as  judge,  and 
examines  the  deeds  of  each.  The  next  class  was  of  those 
who  had  died  by  their  own  hand,  hating  life  and  seeking 
refuge  in  death.  O,  how  willingly  would  they  now  endure 
poverty,  laboi*,  and  any  other  infliction,  if  they  might  but 
return  to  life !  Next  were  situated  the  regions  of  sad- 
ness, divided  off  into  retired  paths,  leading  through  groves 
of  myrtle.  Here  roamed  those  who  had  fallen  victims  to 
imrequited  love,  not  freed  from  pain  even  by  death  itself. 
Among  these,  y!Eneas  thought  he  descried  the  form  of 
Uido,  with  a  wound  still  recent.  In  the  dim  light  he  was 
for  a  moment  uncertain,  but  approaching,  perceived  it  was 
indeed  herself.  Tears  fell  from  his  eyes,  and  he  addressed 
her  in  the  accents  of  love.  "  Unhappy  Dido  !  Avas  then 
the  rumor  true  that  you  had  perished  ?  and  was  I,  alas  ! 
the  cause  ?  I  call  the  gods  to  witness  that  my  departure 
from  you  was  reluctant,  and  in  obedience  to  the  com- 
lands  of  Jove ;  nor  could  I  believe  that  my  absence 
irould  have  cost  you  so  dear.  Stop,  I  beseech  you,  and 
sfuse  me  not  a  last  farewell."  She  stood  for  a  moment 
ith  averted  countenance,  and  eyes  fixed  on  the  ground. 


360  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

and  then  silently  passed  on.  as  insensible  to  his  pleadings 
as  a  rock,  ^neas  followed  for  some  distance  ;  then,  with 
a  heavy  heart,  rejoined  his  companion  and  resumed  his 
route. 

They  next  entered  the  fields  where  roam  the  heroes 
who  have  fallen  in  battle.  Here  they  saw  many  shades 
of  Grecian  and  Trojan  warriors.  The  Trojans  thronged 
around  him,  and  could  not  be  satisfied  with  the  sight. 
They  asked  the  cause  of  his  coming,  and  plied  him  with 
innumerable  questions.  But  the  Greeks,  at  the  sight  of 
his  armor  glittering  through  the  murky  atmosphere,  recog- 
nized the  hero,  and  filled  with  terror  turned  their  backs 
and  fled,  as  they  used  to  do  on  the  plains  of  Troy. 

-^neas  would  have  lingered  long  with  his  Trojan  friends, 
but  the  Sibyl  hurried  him  away.  They  next  came  to  a 
place  where  the  road  divided,  the  one  leading  to  Elysium, 
the  other  to  the  regions  of  the  condemned,  ^neas  be- 
held on  one  side  the  walls  of  a  mighty  city,  around  which 
Phlegethon  rolled  its  fiery  waters.  Before  him  was  the 
gate  of  adamant  that  neither  gods  nor  men  can  break 
through.  An  iron  tower  stood  by  the  gate,  on  which  Ti- 
siphone,  the  avenging  Fury,  kept  guard.  From  the  city 
were  heard  groans,  and  the  sound  of  the  scourge,  the 
creaking  of  iron,  and  the  clanking  of  chains.  -ZEneas,  hor- 
ror-struck, inquired  of  his  guide  what  crimes  were  those 
whose  punishments  produced  the  sounds  he  heard  ?  The 
Sibyl  answered,  "  Here  is  the  judgment  hall  of  Rhadaman- 
thus,  who  brings  to  light  crimes  done  in  life,  which  the 
perpetrator  vainly  thought  impenetrably  hid.  Tisiphone 
applies  her  whip  of  scorpions,  and  delivers  the  offender  over 
to  her  sister  Furies.  At  this  moment  with  horrid  clang 
the  brazen  gates  unfolded,  and  ^neas  saw  within,  a  Hydra 
with  fifty  heads,  guarding  the  entrance.     The  Sibyl  told 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  361 

him,  that  the  gulf  of  Tartarus  descended  deep,  so  that  its 
recesses  were  as  far  beneath  their  feet  as  heaven  was  high 
above  their  heads.  In  the  bottom  of  this  pit,  the  Titan 
race,  wlio  warred  against  the  gods,  lie  prostrate ;  Salmo- 
ncus,  also,  who  presumed  to  vie  with  Jupiter,  and  built  a 
bridge  of  brass  over  which  he  drove  his  chariot  that  the 
sound  might  resemble  thunder,  launching  flaming  brands 
at  his  people  in  imitation  of  lightning,  till  Jupiter  struck 
him  with  a  real  thunderbolt,  and  taught  him  the  difference 
between  mortal  weapons  and  divine.  Here,  also,  is  Tityus, 
the  giant,  whose  form  is  so  immense  that  as  he  lies,  he 
stretches  over  nine  acres,  Avhile  a  vulture  preys  upon  his 
liver,  which  as  fast  as  it  is  devoured  grows  again,  so  that 
his  punishment  will  have  no  end. 

iEneas  saw  groups  seated  at  tables  loaded  with  dainties, 
while  near  by  stood  a  Fury  who  snatched  away  the  viands 
from  their  lips,  as  fast  as  they  prepared  to  taste  them. 
Others  beheld  suspended  over  their  heads  huge  rocks, 
threatening  to  fall,  keeping  them  in  a  state  of  constant 
alarm.  These  were  they  who  had  hated  their  brothers, 
or  struck  their  parents,  or  defrauded  the  friends  who 
trusted  them,  or  who,  having  grown  rich,  kept  their  money 
to  themselves,  and  gave  no  share  to  others  ;  the  last  being 
the  most  numerous  class.  Here  also  were  those  who  had 
violated  the  marriage  vow,  or  fought  in  a  bad  cause,  or 
failed  in  fidelity  to  their  employers.  Here  was  one  who 
had  sold  his  country  for  gold,  another  who  perverted  the 
laws,  making  them  say  one'  thing  to-day  and  another  to- 
morrow. 

Ilxion  was  there,  fastened  to  the  circumference  of  a 
wheel  ceaselessly  revolving ;  and  Sisyphus,  whose  task 
was  to  roll  a  huge  stone  up  to  a  hill-top,  but  when  the 
ftteep  was  well-nigh  gained,  the  rock,  repulsed  by  some 
I       " 


302  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

sudden  force,  rushed  again  headlong  down  to  the  plain. 
Again  he  toiled  at  it,  while  the  sweat  bathed  all  his  weaiy 
limbs,  but  all  to  no  effect.  There  was  Tantalus,  who  stood 
in  a  pool,  his  chin  level  with  the  water,  yet  he  Avas  parched 
with  thirst,  and  found  nothing  to  assuage  it ;  for  when  he 
bowed  his  hoary  head,  eager  to  quaff,  the  water  fled  away, 
leaving  the  ground  at  his  feet  all  dry.  Tall  trees  laden 
with  fruit  stooped  their  heads  to  him,  pears,  pomegranates, 
apples,  and  luscious  figs  ;  but  when  with  a  sudden  grasp 
he  tried  to  seize  them,  winds  whirled  them  high  above  his 
reach. 

The  Sibyl  now  warned  ^Eneas  that  it  was  time  to  turn 
from  these  melancholy  regions  and  seek  the  city  of  the 
blessed.  They  passed  through  a  middle  tract  of  darkness, 
and  came  upon  the  Elysian  fields,  the  groves  where  the 
happy  reside.  They  breathed  a  freer  air,  and  saw  all 
objects  clothed  in  a  purple  light.  The  region  has  a  sun 
and  stars  of  its  own.  The  inhabitants  were  enjoying  them- 
selves in  various  ways,  some  in  sports  on  the  grassy  turf, 
in  games  of  strength  or  skill,  others  dancing  or  singing. 
Orpheus  struck  the  chords  of  his  lyre,  and  called  forth 
ravishing  sounds.  Here  ^neas  saw  the  founders  of  the 
Trojan  state,  magnanimous  heroes  who  lived  in  happier 
times.  He  gazed  with  admiration  on  the  war  chariots  and 
glittering  arms  now  reposing  in  disuse.  Spears  stood 
fixed  in  the  ground,  and  the  horses,  unharnessed,  roamed 
over  the  plain.  The  same  pride  in  splendid  armor 
and  generous  steeds  which  the  old  heroes  felt  in  life,  ac- 
companied them  here.  He  saw  another  group  feasting, 
and  listening  to  the  strains  of  music.  They  were  in  a 
laurel  grove,  whence  the  great  river  Po  has  its  origin,  and 
flows  out  among  men.  Here  dwelt  those  who  fell  by 
wounds  received  in  their  country's  cause,  holy  priests  also. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  8G3 

and  poets  who  have  uttered  thoughts  worthy  of  Apollo, 
and  others  who  have  contributed  to  cheer  and  adorn  life 
by  their  discoveries  in  the  useful  arts,  and  have  made  their 
memory  blessed  by  rendering  service  to  mankind.  They 
wore  snow-white  fillets  about  their  brows.  The  Sibyl 
addressed  a  group  of  these,  and  inquired  where  Anchises 
was  to  be  found.  They  Avere  directed  where  to  seek  hira, 
and  soon  found  him  in  a  verdant  valley,  where  he  was 
contemplating  the  ranks  of  his  posterity,  their  destinies 
and  worthy  deeds  to  be  achieved  in  coming  times.  When 
be  recognized  JEneas  approaching,  he  stx'etched  out  both 
hands  to  him,  while  tears  flowed  freely.  "  Have  you 
come  at  last,"  said  he,  "  long  expected,  and  do  I  behold 
you  after  such  perils  past  ?  0  my  son,  how  have  I  trem- 
bled for  you  as  I  have  watched  your  career  !  "  To  which 
JEneas  replied,  "  O  father !  your  image  was  always  be- 
fore me  to  guide  and  guard  me."  Then  he  endeavored 
to  enfold  his  father  in  his  embrace,  but  his  arms  enclosed 
only  an  unsubstantial  image. 

JEncas  perceived  before  him  a  spacious  valley,  with 
trees  gently  waving  to  the  wind,  a  tranquil  landscape, 
through  which  the  river  Lethe  flowed.  Along  the  banks 
of  the  sti'eam  wandered  a  countless  multitude,  numerous 
as  insects  in  the  summer  air.  JEneas,  with  surprise,  in- 
quired who  were  these.  Anchises  answered,  "  They  are 
souls  to  which  bodies  are  to  be  gifen  in  due  time.  Mean- 
while they  dwell  on  Lethe's  bank,  and  drink  oblivion  of 
their  former  lives."  "  0,  father !  "  said  ^neas,  "  is  it 
possible  that  any  can  be  so  in  love  with  life,  as  to  wish  to 
leave  these  tranquil  seats  for  the  upper  world  ? "  An- 
chises replied  by  explaining  the  plan  of  creation.  The 
Creator,  he  told  him,  originally  made  the  material  of  which 
souls  ai*e  composed,  of  the  four  elements,  fire,  air,  earth, 


864  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

and  water,  all  winch  when  united  took  the  form  of  the 
most  excellent  part,  fire,  and  became  flame.  This  mate- 
rial was  scattered  like  seed  among  the  heavenly  bodies, 
the  sun,  moon,  and  stars.  Of  this  seed  the  inferior  gods 
created  man  and  all  other  animals,  mingling  it  with  vari- 
ous proportions  of  earth,  by  Avhich  its  purity  was  alloyed 
and  reduced.  Thus  the  more  earth  predominates  in  the 
composition,  the  less  pure  is  the  individual ;  and  we  see 
men  and  women  with  their  full-grown  bodies  have  not  the 
purity  of  childhood.  So  in  proportion  to  the  time  which 
the  union  of  body  and  soul  has  lasted,  is  the  impurity  con- 
tracted by  the  spiritual  part.  This  impurity  must  be 
purged  away  after  death,  which  is  done  by  ventilating  the 
souls  in  the  current  of  winds,  or  merging  them  in  water, 
or  burning  out  their  impurities  by  fire.  Some  few,  of 
whom  Anchises  intimates  that  he  is  one,  are  admitted  at 
once  to  Elysium,  there  to  remain.  But  the  rest,  after  the 
impurities  of  earth  are  purged  away,  are  sent  back  to 
life  endowed  with  new  bodies,  having  had  the  remem- 
brance of  their  former  lives  effectually  washed  away  by 
the  waters  of  Lethe.  Some,  however,  there  still  are,  so 
thoroughly  corrupted,  that  they  are  not  fit  to  be  intrusted 
with  human  bodies,  and  these  are  made  into  brute  ani- 
mals, lions,  tigers,  cats,  dogs,  monkeys,  &;c.  This  is  what 
the  ancients  called  Metempsychosis,  or  the  transmigration 
of  souls  ;  a  doctrine  which  is  still  held  by  the  natives  of 
India,  who  scruple  to  destroy  the  life,  even  of  the  most 
insignificant  animal,  not  knowing  but  it  may  be  one  of 
their  relations  in  an  altered  form. 

Anchises,  having  explained  so  much,  proceeded  to  point 
out  to  -33neas  individuals  of  his  race,  wlio  were  hereafter 
to  be  born,  and  to  relate  to  him  the  exploits  they  should 
perform  in  the  world.     After  this  he  i-e verted  to  the  pres- 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  365 

ent,  and  told  his  son  of  the  events  that  remained  to  him 
to  be  accomplished  before  the  complete  establishment  of 
himself  and  his  followers  in  Italy.  Wars  were  to  be 
waged,  battles  fought,  a  bride  to  be  won,  and  in  the  result 
a  Trojan  state  founded,  from  which  should  rise  the  Roman 
power,  to  be  in  time  the  sovereign  of  the  world. 

iEneas  and  the  Sibyl  then  took  leave  of  Anchises,  and 
returned  by  some  short  cut,  which  the  poet  does  not  ex- 
plain, to  the  upper  woi'ld. 

ELYSIUM. 

Virgil,  we  have  seen,  places  his  Elysium  under  the 
earth,  and  assigns  it  for  a  residence  to  the  spirits  of  the 
blessed.  But  in  Homer  Elysium  forms  no  part  of  the 
realms  of  the  dead.  He  places  it  on  the  west  of  the  earth, 
near  Ocean,  and  describes  it  as  a  happy  land,  where  there 
is  neither  snow,  nor  cold,  nor  rain,  and  always  fanned  by 
the  delightful  breezes  of  Zephyrus.  Hither  favored  he- 
roes pass  without  dying  and  live  happy  under  the  rule  of 
Ilhadamanthus.  The  Elysium  of  Hesiod  and  Pindar  is 
in  the  Isles  of  the  Blessed,  or  Fortunate  Islands,  in  the 
Western  Ocean.  From  these  sprang  the  legend  of  the 
happy  island  Atlantis.  This  blissful  region  may  have 
been  wholly  imaginary,  but  possibly  may  have  sprung  from 
the  reports  of  some  storm-driven  mariners  who  had  caught 
a  glimpse  of  the  coast  of  America. 


I 


J.  R.  Lowell,  in  one  of  his  shorter  poems,  claims  for  the 
present  age  some  of  the  privileges  of  that  happy  realm. 
Addressing  the  Past,  he  says,  — 


'  Whatever  of  true  life  there  was  in  thee, 
Loaps  in  our  age's  veins." 

31  * 


366  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 


"  Here,  'mid  the  bleak  waves  of  our  strife  and  care. 
Float  the  green  '  Fortunate  Isles,' 
"Where  all  thy  hero-spirits  dwell  and  share 
Our  martyrdoms  and  toils. 
The  present  moves  attended 
With  all  of  brave  and  excellent  and  fair 
That  made  the  old  time  splendid." 

Milton  also  alludes  to  the  same  fable  in  P.  L.,  Book 
III.,  1.  568. 

"  Like  those  Hesperian  gardens  famed  of  old, 
Fortunate  fields  and  groves  and  flowery  vales. 
Thrice  happy  isles." 

And  in  Book  II.  he  characterizes  the  rivers  of  Erebus 
according  to  the  meaning  of  their  names  in  the  Gi-cek 
language :  — 

"  Abhorred  Styx,  the  flood  of  deadly  hate. 
Sad  Acheron  of  sorrow  black  and  deep ; 
Cocytus  named  of  lamentation  loud 
Heard  on  the  rueful  stream ;  fierce  Phlegcthon 
Whose  waves  of  torrent  fire  inflame  with  rage. 
Far  off  from  these  a  slow  and  silent  stream, 
Lethe,  the  river  of  oblivion,  rolls 
Her  watery  labyrinth,  whereof  who  drinks 
Forthwith  his  former  state  and  being  forgets. 
Forgets  both  joy  and  grief,  pleasure  and  pain." 


THE  SIBYL. 

As  -^neas  and  the  Sibyl  pursued  their  way  back  to 
earth,  he  said  to  her,  "  Whether  thou  be  a  goddess  or  a 
mortal  beloved  of  the  gods,  by  me  thou  shalt  always  be 
held  in  reverence.  "When  I  reach  the  upper  air,  I  will 
cause  a  temple  to  be  built  to  thy  honor,  and  will  myself 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  367 

bring  offerings."  "  I  am  no  goddess,"  said  the  Sibyl ;  "  I 
have  no  claim  to  sacrifice  or  offering.  I  am  mortal ;  yet 
if  I  could  have  accepted  the  love  of  Apollo,  I  might  have 
been  immortal.  He  promised  me  the  fulfilment  of  my 
wish,  if  I  would  consent  to  be  his.  I  took  a  handful  of 
sand,  and  holding  it  forth,  said,  '  Grant  me  to  see  as  many 
birthdays  as  there  are  sand  grains  in  my  hand.'  Unluck- 
ily I  forgot  to  ask  for  enduring  youth.  This  also  he  would 
have  granted,  could  I  have  accepted  his  love,  but  offended 
at  my  refusal,  he  allowed  me  to  grow  old.  My  youth  and 
youthful  strength  fled  long  ago.  I  have  lived  seven  hun- 
dred years,  and  to  equal  the  number  of  the  sand-grains,  I 
have  still  to  see  three  hundred  springs  and  three  hundred 
harvests.  My  body  shrinks  up  as  years  increase,  and  in 
time,  I  shall  be  lost  to  sight,  but  my  voice  will  remain,  and 
future  ages  will  respect  my  sayings." 

These  concluding  words  of  the  Sibyl  alluded  to  her  pro- 
phetic power.  In  her  cave  she  was  accustomed  to  inscribe 
on  leaves  gathered  from  the  trees  the  names  and  fates  of 
individuals.  The  leaves  thus  inscribed  were  arranged  in 
order  within  the  cave,  and  might  be  consulted  by  her  vo- 
taries. But  if  perchance  at  the  opening  of  the  door  the 
wind  rushed  in  and  dispersed  the  leaves,  the  Sibyl  gave  no 
aid  to  restoring  them  again,  and  the  oracle  was  irrepara- 
bly lost. 

The  following  legend  of  the  Sibyl  is  fixed  at  a  later 
date.  In  the  reign  of  one  of  the  Tarquins  there  appeared 
before  the  king  a  woman  who  offered  him  nine  books  for 

I  sale.  The  king  refused  to  purchase  them,  whereupon  the 
woman  went  away  and  burned  three  of  the  books,  and 
returning  offered  the  remaining  books  for  the  same  price 
she  had  asked  for  the  nine.  The  king  again  rejected 
. 


368  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

more,  returned  and  asked  for  the  three  remaining  the 
same  price  which  she  had  before  asked  for  the  nine,  his 
curiosity  was  excited,  and  he  purchased  the  books.  They 
were  found  to  contain  the  destinies  of  the  Roman  state. 
They  were  kept  in  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus,  pre- 
served in  a  stone  chest,  and  allowed  to  be  inspected  only 
by  especial  officers  appointed  for  that  duty,  who  on  great 
occasions  consulted  them  and  interpreted  their  oracles  to 
the  people. 

There  were  various  Sibyls  ;  but  the  Cumaean  Sibyl,  of 
whom  Ovid  and  Virgil  write,  is  the  most  celebrated  of 
them.  Ovid's  story  of  her  life  protracted  to  one  thousand 
years  may  be  intended  to  represent  the  various  Sibyls  as 
being  only  reappearances  of  one  and  the  same  individual. 

Young,  in  the  Night  Thoughts,  alludes  to  the  SibyL 
Speaking  of  Worldly  Wisdom,  he  says, 

"  If  future  fate  she  plans  'tis  all  in  leaves, 
Like  Sibyl,  unsubstantial,  fleeting  bliss  ; 
At  the  first  blast  it  vanishes  in  air. 
«  «  «  « 

As  worldly  schemes  resemble  Sibyl's  leaves. 
The  good  man's  days  to  Sibyl's  books  compare, 
The  price  still  rising  as  in  number  less." 


STOIilES    OF    GODS    AND    HKROES.  369 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

CAMILLA  —  E  VANDER  —  NISUS  AND  EUR  Y  ALUS  — 
MEZENTIUS  —  TURNUS. 

JEneas,  having  parted  from  the  Sibyl  and  rejoined  his 
fleet,  coasted  along  the  shores  of  Italy  and  cast  anchor  in 
the  mouth  of  the  Tiber.  The  poet,  having  brought  his 
hero  to  this  spot,  the  destined  termination  of  his  wander- 
ings, invokes  Iiis  Muse  to  tell  him  the  situation  of  things 
at  that  eventful  moment.  Latinus,  third  in  descent  from 
Saturn,  ruled  the  country.  He  was  now  old  and  had  no 
male  descendant,  but  had  one  charming  daughter,  Lavinia, 
who  was  sought  in  marriage  by  many  neighboring  chiefs, 
one  of  whom,  Turnus,  king  of  the  Eutuhans,  was  favored 
by  the  wishes  of  her  parents.  But  Latinus  had  been 
warned  in  a  dream  by  his  father  Faunus,  that  the  destined 
husband  of  Lavinia  should  come  fi'om  a  foreign  land. 
From  that  union  should  spring  a  race  destined  to  subdue 
the  world. 

Our  readers  will  remember  that  in  the  conflict  with  the 
Harpies,  one  of  those  half-human  birds  had  threatened 
the  Trojans  with  dire  sufferings.  In  particular  she  pre- 
dicted that  before  their  wanderings  ceased  they  should 
be  pressed  by  hunger  to  devour  their  tables.  This  por- 
tent now  came  true ;  for  as  they  took  their  scanty  meal, 
seated  on  the  grass,  the  men  placed  their  hard  biscuit  on 
their  laps,  and  put  thereon  whatever  their  gleanings  in  the 
woods  supplied.     Having  despatched  the  latter  they  fin- 


370  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

ished  by  eating  the  crusts.  Seeing  which,  the  boy  lulus 
said  playfully,  "  See,  we  are  eating  our  tables."  iEncas 
caught  the  words  and  accepted  the  omen.  "  All  hail, 
promised  laud ! "  he  exclaimed,  "  this  is  our  home,  this 
our  country  !  "  He  then  took  measures  to  find  out  who 
were  the  present  inhabitants  of  the  land,  and  who  their 
rulers.  A  hundred  chosen  men  were  sent  to  the  village 
of  Latinus,  bearing  presents  and  a  request  for  friendship 
and  alliance.  They  went  and  were  favorably  received. 
Latinus  immediately  concluded  that  the  Trojan  hero  was 
no  other  than  the  promised  son-in-law  announced  by  the 
oracle.  He  cheerfully  granted  his  alliance  and  sent  back 
the  messengers  mounted  on  steeds  from  his  stables,  and 
loaded  with  gifts  and  friendly  messages. 

Juno,  seeing  things  go  thus  prosperously  for  the  Trojans, 
felt  her  old  animosity  revive,  summoned  Alecto  from  Ere- 
bus, and  sent  her  to  stir  up  discord.  The  Fury  first  took 
possession  of  the  queen,  Amata,  and  roused  her  to  oppose 
in  every  way  the  new  alliance.  Alecto  tlien  speeded  to 
the  city  of  Turnus,  and  assuming  the  form  of  an  old  priest- 
ess, informed  him  of  the  arrival  of  the  foreigners  and  of 
the  attempts  of  their  prince  to  rob  him  of  his  bride. 
Next  she  turned  her  attention  to  the  camp  of  the  Trojans. 
There  she  saw  the  boy  lulus  and  his  companions  amusing 
themselves  with  hunting.  She  sharpened  the  scent  of  the 
dogs,  and  led  them  to  rouse  up  from  the  thicket  a  tame 
stag,  the  favorite  of  Silvia,  the  daughter  of  Tyrrheus,  the 
King's  herdsman.  A  javelin  from  the  hand  of  lulus 
wounded  the  animal,  and  he  had  only  strength  left  to 
run  homewards,  and  died  at  his  mistress's  feet.  Her: 
cries  and  tears  roused  her  brothers  and  the  herdsmen,  and 
they,  seizing  whatever  weapons  came  to  hand,  furiously 
assaulted  the  hunting  party.     These  were  protected  by 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIliROES.  371 

their  friends,  and  the  herdsmen  were  finally  driven  back 
with  the  loss  of  two  of  their  number. 

Tliese  things  were  enough  to  rouse  the  storm  of  war, 
and  the  queen,  Turn  us,  and  the  peasants  all  urged  the  old 
king  to  drive  the  strangers  from  the  country.  lie  resisted 
:is  loDg  as  he  could,  but  finding  his  opposition  unavailing, 
finally  gave  way  and  retreated  to  his  reti^'ement. 

OPENING   THE  GATES    OF    JANUS. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  country,  when  war  was  to  be 
undertaken,  for  the  chief  magisti-ate,  clad  in  his  robes  of 
office,  with  solemn  pomp  to  open  the  gates  of  the  temple 
of  Janus,  which  were  kept  shut  as  long  as  peace  endured. 
His  people  now  urged  the  old  king  to  perform  that  solemn 
office,  but  he  refused  to  do  so.  While  they  contested,  Juno 
herself,  descending  from  the  skies,  smote  the  doors  with 
irresistible  force,  and  burst  them  open.  Immediately  the 
whole  country  was  in  a  flame.  The  people  rushed  from 
every  side  breathing  nothing  but  war. 

Tunius  was  recognized  by  all  as  leader  ;  others  joined 
as  allies,  chief  of  whom  was  Mezentius,  a  brave  and  able 
soldier,  but  of  detestable  cruelty.  He  had  been  the  chief 
of  one  of  the  neighboring  cities,  but  his  people  drove  him 
out.  With  him  was  joined  his  son  Lausus,  a  generous 
youth  worthy  of  a  better  sire. 

CAMILLA. 

Camilla,  the  favorite  of  Diana,  a  huntress  and  warrior, 
.  afiter  the  fashion  of  the  Amazons,  came  with  her  band  of 
lounted  followers,  including  a  select  number  of  her  own 


372  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

sex,  and  ranged  herself  on  the  side  of  Turnus.  This 
maiden  had  never  accustomed  her  fingers  to  the  distaff  or 
the  loom,  but  had  learned  to  endure  the  toils  of  war,  and 
in  speed  to  outstrip  the  wind.  It  seemed  as  if  she  might 
run  over  the  standing  corn  without  crushing  it,  or  over  the 
surface  of  the  water  without  dipping  her  feet.  Camilla's 
history  had  been  aingular  from  the  beginning.  Her  father, 
Metabus,  driven  fi-ora  his  city  by  civil  discord,  carried 
with  him  in  his  flight  his  infant  daughter.  As  he  fled 
through  the  woods,  his  enemies  in  hot  pursuit,  he  reached 
the  bank  of  the  river  Amazenus,  which,  swelled  by  rains, 
seemed  to  debar  a  passage.  He  paused  for  a  moment, 
then  decided  what  to  do.  He  tied  the  infant  to  his  lance 
with  wrappers  of  bark,  and  poising  the  weapon  in  his  up- 
raised hand,  thus  addressed  Diana :  "  Goddess  of  the 
woods !  I  consecrate  this  maid  to  you  ; "  then  hurled  the 
weapon  with  its  burden  to  the  opposite  bank.  The  spear 
flew  across  the  roaring  water.  His  pursuers  were  already 
upon  him,  but  he  plunged  into  the  river  and  swam  across, 
and  found  the  spear,  with  the  infant  safe  on  the  other  side. 
Thenceforth  he  lived  among  the  shepherds  and  brought  up 
his  daughter  in  woodland  arts.  While  a  child  she  was 
taught  to  use  the  bow  and  throw  the  javelin.  With  her 
sling  she  could  bring  down  the  crane  or  the  wild  swan. 
Her  dress  was  a  tiger's  skin.  Many  mothers  sought  her 
for  a  daughter-in-law,  but  she  continued  faithful  to  Diana 
and  repelled  the  thought  of  marriage. 


EVANDER. 

Such  were  the  formidable  allies  that  ranged  themselves 
against  JEneas.     It  was  night  and  he  lay  stretched  in  sleep 


STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES.  373 

on  the  bank  of  the  river,  under  the  open  heavens.  The 
god  of  the  stream,  Father  Tiber,  seemed  to  raise  his  head 
above  the  willows  and  to  say,  "  O  goddess-born,  destined  pos- 
sessor of  the  Latin  realms,  this  is  the  promised  land,  hers 
is  to  be  your  home,  here  shall  terminate  the  hostility  of  the 
heavenly  powers,  if  only  you  faithfully  persevere.  There 
are  friends  not  far  distant.  Prepare  your  boats  and  row 
up  my  stream  ;  I  will  lead  you  to  Evander  the  Arcadian 
chief.  He  has  long  been  at  strife  with  Turnus  and  the 
Rutulians,  and  is  prepared  to  become  an  ally  of  yours. 
Rise !  offer  your  vows  to  Juno,  and  deprecate  her  anger. 
When  you  have  achieved  your  victory  then  think  of  me." 
iEneas  woke  and  paid  immediate  obedience  to  the  friend- 
ly vision.  He  sacrificed  to  Juno,  and  invoked  the  god  of 
the  river  and  all  his  tributary  fountains  to  lend  their  aid. 
Then  for  the  first  time  a  vessel  filled  with  armed  warriors 
floated  on  the  stream  of  the  Tiber.  The  river  smoothed 
its  waves,  and  bade  its  current  flow  gently,  while,  impelled 
by  the  vigorous  strokes  of  the  rowers,  the  vessel  shot  rap- 
idly up  the  stream. 

About  the  middle  of  the  day  they  came  in  sight  of  the 

scattered  buildings  of  the  infant  town  where  in  after  times 

the  proud  city  of  Rome  grew,  Avhose  glory  reached  the 

skies.     By  chance  the  old  king,  Evander,  was  that  day 

celebrating  annual  solemnities  in  honor  of  Hercules  and 

all  the  gods.     Pallas,  his  son,  and  all  the  chiefs  of  the 

little  commonwealth  stood  by.     When  they  saw  the  tall 

[T        ship  gliding  onward  through  the  wood,  they  were  alarmed 

^^    at  the  sight,  and  rose  from  the  tables.     But  Pallas  forbade 

^K  the  solemnities  to  be  interrupted,  and  seizing  a  weapon, 

^H  stepped  forward  to  the  river's  bank.     He  called  aloud,  de- 

^^B  manding  who  they  were,  and  what  their  object,     -^neas, 

^^K  holding  forth  an  olive-branch,  replied,  "  We  are  Trojans, 

I 


374  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

friends  to  you  and  enemies  to  the  Rutulians.  We  seek 
Evander,  and  oifer  to  join  our  arms  with  yours."  Pallas, 
in  amaze  at  the  sound  of  so  great  a  name,  invited  them  to 
land,  and  when  JEneas  touched  the  shore  he  seized  his 
hand,  and  held  it  long  in  friendly  grasp.  Proceeding 
through  the  wood  they  joined  the  king  and  his  party  and 
were  most  favorably  received.  Seats  were  provided  for 
them  at  the  tables,  and  the  repast  proceeded. 


INFANT   EOME. 

When  the  solemnities  were  ended  all  moved  towards 
the  city.  The  king,  bending  with  age,  walked  between  his 
son  and  JEneas,  taking  the  arm  of  one  or  the  other  of 
them,  and  with  much  variety  of  pleasing  talk  shortening 
the  way.  -^neas  with  delight  looked  and  listened,  observ- 
ing all  the  beauties  of  the  scene,  and  learning  much  of 
heroes  renowned  in  ancient  times.  Evander  said,  "  These 
extensive  groves  were  once  inhabited  by  fauns  and 
nymphs,  and  a  rude  race  of  men  who  sprang  from  the 
trees  themselves,  and  had  neither  laws  nor  social  culture. 
They  knew  not  how  to  yoke  the  cattle  nor  raise  a  harvest, 
nor  provide  from  present  abundance  for  future  want ;  but 
browsed  like  beasts  upon  the  leafy  boughs,  or  fed  vora- 
ciously on  their  hunted  prey.  Such  were  they  when  Sat- 
urn, expelled  from  Olympus  by  his  sons,  came  among  them 
and  drew  together  the  fierce  savages,  formed  them  into 
society,  and  gave  them  laws.  Such  peace  and  plenty  en- 
sued that  men  ever  since  have  called  his  reign  the  golden 
age ;  but  by  degrees  far  other  times  succeeded,  and  the 
thirst  of  gold  and  the  thirst  of  blood  prevailed.  The  land 
was  a  prey  to  successive  tyrants,  till  fortune  and  resistless 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES.  875 

destiny  brought  me  hither,  an  exile  from  my  native  land, 
Arcadia." 

Having  thus  said,  he  showed  him  the  Tarpeian  rock, 
and  the  rude  spot  then  overgrown  with  bushes  where  in 
after  times  the  Capitol  rose  in  all  its  magnificence.  He 
next  pointed  to  some  dismantled  walls,  and  said,  "  Here 
stood  Janiculum,  built  by  Janus,  and  there  Saturnia,  the 
town  of  Saturn."  Such  discourse  brought  them  to  the 
cottage  of  poor  Evander,  whence  they  saw  the  lowing 
herds  roaming  over  the  plain  where  now  the  proud  and 
stately  Forum  stands.  They  entered,  and  a  couch  was 
spread  for -ZEneas,  well ,  stuiFed  with  leaves  and  covered 
with  the  skin  of  a  Libyan  bear. 

Next  morning,  awakened  by  the  dawn  and  the  shrill 
song  of  birds  beneath  the  eaves  of  his  low  mansion,  old 
Evander  rose.  Clad  in  a  tunic,  and  a  panther's  skin 
thrown  over  his  shoulders,  with  sandals  on  his  feet,  and 
his  good  sword  girded  to  his  side,  he  went  forth  to  seek 
his  guest.  Two  mastiffs  followed  him,  his  whole  retinue 
and  body  guard.  He  found  the  hero  attended  by  his  faith- 
ful Achates,  and,  Pallas  soon  joining  them,  the  old  king 
spoke  thus :  — 

"  Illustrious  Trojan,  it  is  but  little  we  can  do  in  so  great 
a  cause.  Our  state  is  feeble,  hemmed  in  on  one  side  by 
the  river,  on  the  other  by  the  Rutulians.  But  I  propose 
to  ally  you  with  a  people  numerous  and  rich,  to  whom 
fate  has  brought  you  at  the  propitious  moment.  The 
Etruscans  hold  the  country  beyond  the  river.  Mezentius 
was  their  king,  a  monster  of  cruelty,  who  invented  un- 
heard-of torments  to  gratify  his  vengeance.  He  would 
fasten  the  dead  to  the  living,  hand  to  hand  and  face  to 
face,  and  leave  the  wretched  victims  to  die  in  that  dread- 
ful embrace.     At  length  the  people  cast  him  out,  him  and 


376  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

his  house.  They  burned  his  palace  and  slew  his  friends. 
He  escaped  and  took  refuge  with  Turnus,  who  protects 
him  with  arms.  The  Etruscans  demand  that  he  shall  be 
given  up  to  deserved  punishment,  and  would  ere  now  have 
attempted  to  enforce  their  demand ;  but  their  priests  re- 
strain them,  telling  them  that  it  is  the  will  of  heaven  that 
no  native  of  the  land  shall  guide  them  to  victory,  and  that 
their  destined  leader  must  come  from  across  the  sea.  They 
have  offered  the  crown  to  me,  but  I  am  too  old  to  under- 
take such  great  affairs,  and  my  son  is  native-born,  which 
precludes  him  from  the  choice.  You,  equally  by  birth  and 
time  of  life,  and  fame  in  arms,  pointed  out  by  the  gods, 
have  but  to  appear  to  be  hailed  at  once  as  their  leader. 
With  you  I  will  join  Pallas,  my  son,  my  only  hope  and 
comfort.  Under  you  he  shall  learn  the  art  of  war,  and 
strive  to  emulate  your  great  exploits." 

Then  the  king  ordered  horses  to  be  furnished  for  the 
Trojan  chiefs,  and  ^neas,  Avith  a  chosen  band  of  followers 
and  Pallas  accompanying,  mounted  and  took  the  way  to 
the  Etruscan  city,*  having  sent  back  the  rest  of  his  party 
in  the  ships.  JEneas  and  his  band  safely  arrived  at  the 
Etruscan  camp  and  were  received  Avitli  open  arms  by  Tar- 
chon  and  his  countrymen. 


NISUS  AND   EURYALUS. 

In  the  meanwhile  Turnus  had  collected  his  bands  and 
made '  all  necessary  preparations  for  the  war.     Juno  sent 

*  The  poet  here  inserts  a  famous  line  which  is  thought  to  imitate  in 
its  sound  the  galloping  of  horses.  It  may  be  thus  translated  :  "  Then 
struck  the  hoofs  of  the  steeds  on  the  ground  with  a  four-footed  tram- 
pling."—  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  479. 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  377 

Iris  to  him  with  a  message  inciting  him  to  take  advantage 
of  the  absence  of  iEneas  and  surprise  the  Trojan  camp. 
Accordingly  the  attempt  was  made,  but  the  Trojans  were 
found  on  their  guard,  and  having  received  strict  orders 
from  -^neas  not  to  fight  in  his  absence,  they  lay  still  in 
their  intrenchmcnts,  and  resisted  all  the  efforts  of  the 
Rutulians  to  draw  them  into  the  field.  Night  coming  on 
the  army  of  Turnus,  in  high  spirits  at  their  fancied  supe- 
riority, feasted  and  enjoyed  themselves,  and  finally  stretched 
themselves  on  the  field  and  slept  secure. 

In  the  camp  of  the  Trojans  things  were  far  otherwise. 
There  all  was  watchfulness  and  anxiety,  and  impatience 
for  Lucas's  return.  Nisus  stood  guard  at  the  entrance 
of  the  camp,  and  Euryalus,  a  youth  distinguished  above 
all  in  the  army  for  graces  of  person  and  fine  qualities, 
was  with  him.  These  two  were  friends  and  brothers  in 
arms.  Nisus  said  to  his  friend,  "  Do  you  perceive  what 
confidence  and  carelessness  the  enemy  display  ?  Their 
lights  are  few  and  dim,  and  the  men  seem  all  oppi*essed 
with  wine  or  sleep.  You  know  how  anxiously  our  chiefs 
wish  to  send  to  -^neas,  and  to  get  intelligence  from  him. 
Now  I  am  strongly  moved  to  make  my  way  through  the 
enemy's  camp  and  to  go  in  search  of  our  chief.  If  I  suc- 
ceed, the  glory  of  the  deed  will  be  reward  enough  for  me, 
and  if  they  judge  the  service  deserves  any  thing  more,  let 
them  pay  it  to  you." 

Euryalus,  all  on  fire  with  the  love  of  adventure,  re- 
plied, "  "Would  you  then,  Nisus,  refuse  to  share  your  en- 
terprise with  me  ?  And  shall  I  let  you  go  into  such 
danger  alone  ?  Not  so  my  brave  father  brought  me  up, 
nor  so  have  I  planned  for  myself  when  I  joined  the  stan- 
dard of  -3Eneas,  and  resolved  to  hold  my  life  cheap  in 
comparison  with  honor."  Nisus  replied,  "  I  doubt  it  not, 
.32* 


378  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND   HEROES. 

my  friend  ;  but  you  know  the  uncertain  event  of  such  an 
undertaking,  and  whatever  may  happen  to  me,  I  wish 
you  to  be  safe.  You  are  younger  than  I  and  have  more 
of  hfe  in  prospect.  Nor  can  I  be  the  cause  of  such  grief 
to  your  mother,  who  has  chosen  to  be  here  in  the  camp 
with  you  rather  than  stay  and  live  in  peace  with  the  other 
matrons  in  Acestes'  city."  Euryalus  replied,  "  Say  no 
more.  In  vain  you  seek  arguments  to  dissuade  me.  I 
am  fixed  in  the  resolution  to  go  with  you.  Let  us  lose  no 
time."  They  called  the  guard,  and  committing  the  watch 
to  them,  sought  the  general's  tent.  They  found  the  chief 
ofiicers  in  consultation,  deliberating  how  they  should  send 
notice  to  JEneas  of  their  situation.  The  offer  of  the  two 
friends  was  gladly  accepted,  themselves  loaded  with 
praises  and  promised  the  most  liberal  rewards  in  case  of 
success.  lulus  especially  addressed  Euryalus,  assuring 
him  of  his  lasting  friendship.  Euryalus  replied,  "  I  have 
but  one  boon  to  ask.  My  aged  mother  is  with  me  in  the 
camp.  For  me  she  left  the  Trojan  soil,  and  would  not 
stay  behind  with  the  other  matrons  at  the  city  of  Acestes. 
I  go  now  without  taking  leave  of  her.  I  could  not  bear 
her  tears  nor  set  at  nought  her  entreaties.  But  do  thou, 
I  beseech  you,  comfort  her  in  her  distress.  Promise  me 
that  and  I  shall  go  more  boldly  into  whatever  dangers  may 
present  themselves."  lulus  and  the  other  chiefs  were 
moved  to  tears,  and  promised  to  do  all  his  request.  "  Your 
mother  shall  be  mine,"  said  lulus,  "  and  all  that  I  have 
promised  to  you  shall  be  made  good  to  her,  if  you  do  not 
return  to  receive  it." 

The  two  friends  left  the  camp  and  plunged  at  once  into 
the  midst  of  the  enemy.  They  found  no  watch,  no  senti- 
nels posted,  but  all  about,  the  sleeping  soldiers  strewn  on 
the  grass  and  among  the  wagons.     The  laws  of  war  at  that 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  379 

early  day  did  not  forbid  a  brave  man  to  slay  a  sleeping 
foe,  and  the  two  Trojans  slew,  as  they  passed,  such  of  the 
enemy  as  they  could  without  exciting  alarm.  In  one  tent 
Euryalus  made  prize  of  a  helmet  brilliant  with  gold  and 
plumes.  They  had  passed  through  the  enemy's  ranks 
without  being  discovered,  but  now  suddenly  appeared  a 
troop  directly  in  front  of  them,  which,  under  Volscens, 
their  leader,  were  approaching  the  camp.  The  glittering 
helmet  of  Euryalus  caught  their  attention,  and  Volscens 
hailed  the  two,  and  demanded  who  and  whence  they  were. 
They  made  no  answer,  but  plunged  into  the  wood.  The 
horsemen  scattered  in  all  directions  to  intercept  their  flight. 
Nisus  had  eluded  pursuit  and  was  out  of  danger,  but  Eu- 
ryalus being  missing  he  turned  back  to  seek  him.  He 
again  entered  the  wood  and  soon  came  within  sound  of 
voices.  Looking  through  the  thicket  he  saw  the  whole 
band  surrounding  Euryalus  with  noisy  questions.  What 
should  he  do  !  how  extricate  the  youth !  or  would  it  be 
better  to  die  with  him  ? 

Raising  his  eyes  to  the  moon  which  now  shone  clear,  he 
said,  "  Goddess  !  favor  my  effort ! "  and  aiming  his  javelin 
at  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  troop,  struck  him  in  the  back 
and  stretched  him  on  the  plain  with  a  death-blow.  In  the 
midst  of  their  amazement  another  weapon  flew  and  anoth- 
er of  the  party  fell  dead.  Volscens,  the  leader,  ignorant 
whence  the  darts  came,  rushed  sword  in  hand  upon  Eury- 
alus. "  You  shall  pay  the  penalty  of  both,"  he  said,  and 
would  have  plunged  the  sword  into  his  bosom,  when  Nisus, 
who  from  his  concealment  saw  the  peril  of  his  friend, 
rushed  forward  exclaiming,  "  'Twas  I,  'twas  I ;  turn  your 
swords  against  me,  Rutulians ;  I  did  it ;  he  only  followed 
me  as  a  friend."  While  he  spoke  the  sword  fell,  and 
pierced  the  comely  bosom  of  Euryalus.     His  head  fell 


380  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

over  on  his  shoulder,  like  a  flower  cut  down  by  the  plough. 
Nisus  rushed  upon  Volscens  and  plunged  his  sword  into 
his  body,  and  was  himself  slain  on  the  instant  by  number- 
less blows. 

MEZENTIUS. 

JEneas,  with  his  Etrurian  allies,  arrived  on  the  scene  of 
action  in  time  to  rescue  his  beleaguered  camp ;  and  now 
the  two  armies  being  nearly  equal  in  strength,  the  war 
began  in  good  earnest.  We  cannot  find  space  for  all  the 
details,  but  must  simply  record  the  fate  of  the  principal 
characters  whom  we  have  introduced  to  our  readers.  The 
tyrant  Mezentius,  finding  himself  engaged  against  his  re- 
volted subjects,  raged  like  a  wild  beast.  He  slew  all  who 
dared  to  withstand  him,  and  put  the  multitude  to  flight 
wherever  he  appeared.  At  last  he  encountered  JEneas, 
and  the  armies  stood  still  to  see  the  issue.  Mezentius 
threw  his  spear,  which  striking  ^neas's  shield  glanced  off 
and  hit  Anthor.  He  was  a  Grecian  by  birth,  who  had  left 
Argos,  his  native  city,  and  followed  Evander  into  Italy. 
The  poet  says  of  him  with  simple  pathos  which  has  made 
the  words  proverbial,  "  He  fell,  unhappy,  by  a  wound  in- 
tended for  another,  looked  up  to  the  skies,  and  dying  re- 
membered sweet  Argos."*  JEneas  now  in  turn  hurled  his 
lance.  It  pierced  the  shield  of  Mezentius,  and  wounded 
him  in  the  thigh.  Lausus,  his  son,  could  not  bear  the 
sight,  but  rushed  forward  and  interposed  himself,  while  the 
followers  pressed  round  Mezentius  and  bore  him  away, 
.^neas  held  his  sword  suspended  over  Lausus  and  delayed 
to  strike,  but  the  furious  youth  pressed  on  and  he  was  com- 

*  See  Proverbial  Expressions,  page  479. 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  381 

pelled  to  deal  the  fatal  blow.  Lausus  fell,  and  iEneas 
bent  over  him  in  pity.  "  Hapless  youth,"  he  said,  "  what 
can  I  do  for  you  worthy  of  your  praise  ?  Keep  those 
arms  in  which  you  glory,  and  fear  not  but  that  your  body 
shall  be  restored  to  your  friends,  and  have  due  funeral 
honors."  So  saying,  he  called  the  timid  followers  and 
delivered  the  body  into  their  hands. 

Mezentius  meanwhile  had  been  borne  to  the  river-side, 
and  washed  his  wound.  Soon  the  news  reached  him  of 
Lausus's  death,  and  rage  and  despair  supplied  the  place 
of  strength.  He  mounted  his  horse  and  dashed  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  seeking  iEneas.  Having  found  bira, 
be  rode  round  him  in  a  circle,  throwing  one  javelin  after 
another,  while  iEneas  stood  fenced  with  his  shield,  turn- 
ing every  way  to  meet  them.  At  last,  after  Mezentius 
had  three  times  made  the  circuit,  -^neas  threw  his  lance 
directly  at  the  horse's  head.  It  pierced  his  temples  and 
he  fell,  while  a  shout  from  both  armies  rent  the  skies. 
Mezentius  asked  no  mercy,  but  only  that  his  body  might 
be  spared  the  insults  of  his  revolted  subjects,  and  be 
buried  in  the  same  grave  with  his  son.  He  received  the 
fatal  stroke  not  unprepared,  and  poured  out  his  life  and  his 
blood  together. 

PALLAS,  CAMILLA,  TURNUS. 

While  these  things  were  doing  in  one  part  of  the  field, 
in  another  Turnus  encountered  the  youthful  Pallas.  The 
contest  between  champions  so  unequally  matched  could 
not  be  doubtful.  Pallas  bore  himself  bravely,  but  fell  by 
the  lance  of  Turnus.  The  victor  almost  relented  when  he 
saw  the  brave  youth  lying  dead  at  his  feet,  and  spared  to 
use  the  privilege  of  a  conqueror  in  despoiling  him  of  his 


382  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

arms.  The  belt  only,  adorned  with  studs  and  carvings  of 
gold,  he  took  and  clasped  round  his  own  body.  The  rest 
he  remitted  to  the  friends  of  the  slain. 

After  the  battle  there  was  a  cessation  of  arms  for  some 
days  to  allow  both  armies  to  bury  their  dead.  In  this  in- 
terval ^neas  challenged  Turnus  to  decide  the  contest  by 
single  combat,  but  Turnus  evaded  the  challenge.  Another 
battle  ensued,  in  which  Camilla,  the  virgin  warrior,  was 
chiefly  conspicuous.  Her  deeds  of  valor  surpassed  those 
of  the  bravest  warriors,  and  many  Trojans  and  Etruscans 
fell  pierced  with  her  darts  or  struck  down  by  her  battle- 
axe.  At  last  an  Etruscan  named  Aruns,  who  had  watched 
her  long,  seeking  for  some  advantage,  observed  her  pur- 
suing a  flying  enemy  whose  splendid  armor  offered  a 
tempting  prize.  Intent  on  the  chase  she  observed  not  her 
danger,  and  the  javelin  of  Aruns  struck  her  and  inflicted 
a  fatal  wound.  She  fell  and  breathed  her  last  in  the  arms 
of  her  attendant  maidens.  But  Diana,  who  beheld  her 
fate,  suffered  not  her  slaughter  to  be  unavenged.  Aruns, 
as  he  stole  away,  glad  but  frightened,  was  struck  by  a  se- 
cret arrow,  launched  by  one  of  the  nymphs  of  Diana's 
train,  and  died  ignobly  and  unknown. 

At  length  the  final  conflict  took  place  between  ^neas 
and  Turnus.  Turnus  had  avoided  the  contest  as  long 
as  he  could,  but  at  last  impelled  by  the  ill  success  of  his 
arms,  and  by  the  murmurs  of  his  followers,  he  braced  him- 
self to  the  conflict.  It  could  not  be  doubtful.  On  the  side 
of  ^neas  were  the  expressed  decree  of  destiny,  the  aid 
of  his  goddess-mother  at  every  emergency,  and  impene- 
trable armor  fabricated  by  Vulcan,  at  her  request,  for  her 
son.  Turnus,  on  the  other  hand,  was  deserted  by  his  ce- 
lestial allies,  Juno  having  been  expressly  forbidden  by 
Jupiter  to  assist  him  any  longer.     Turnus  threw  his  lance, 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  383 

but  it  recoiled  harmless  from  the  shield  of  JEneas.  The 
Trojan  hero  then  threw  his,  which  penetrated  the  shield 
of  Turnus,  and  pierced  his  thigh.  Then  Turnus's  forti- 
tude forsook  him  and  he  begged  for  mercy ;  and  -^neas 
would  have  given  him  his  life,  but  at  the  instant  his  eye 
fell  on  the  belt  of  Pallas,  which  Turnus  had  taken  from 
the  slaughtered  youth.  Instantly  his  rage  revived,  and 
exclaiming,  "  Pallas  immolates  thee  with  tliis  blow,"  he 
thrust  him  through  with  his  sword. 

Here  the  poem  of  the  -^neid  closes,  and  we  arc  left  to 
infer  that  ^neas,  having  triumphed  over  his  foes,  obtained 
Lavinia  for  his  bride.  Tradition  adds  that  he  founded  his 
city,  and  called  it  after  her  name,  Lavinium.  His  son 
lulus  founded  Alba  Longa,  which  was  the  birthplace  of 
Komulus  and  Remus,  and  the  cradle  of  Rome  itself. 

There  is  an  allusion  to  Camilla  in  those  well-known 
lines  of  Pope,  in  which,  illustrating  the  rule  that  "  the 
sound  should  be  an  echo  to  the  sense,"  he  says,  — 

"  When  Ajax  strives  some  rock's  vast  weight  to  throw, 
The  line  too  labors  and  the  words  move  slow. 
Not  so  when  swift  Camilla  scours  the  plain, 
Flics  o'er  th'  unbending  corn  or  skims  along  the  main." 

Essay  on  Criticism. 


384  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    UEUOES. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

PYTHAGORAS  —  EGYPTIAN  DEITIES  —  OKACLES. 
PYTHAGORAS. 

The  teachings  of  Anchises  to  iEneas,  respecting  the 
nature  of  the  human  soul,  were  in  conformity  with  the 
doctrines  of  the  Pythagoreans.  Pythagoras  (born  five 
hundred  and  forty  years  B.  C.)  was  a  native  of  the  island 
of  Samos,  but  passed  the  chief  portion  of  his  life  at  Cro- 
tona  in  Italy.  He  is  therefore  sometimes  called  "  the 
Samian,"  and  sometimes  "the  philosopher  of  Crotona." 
When  young  he  travelled  extensively,  and  it  is  said  visit- 
ed Egypt,  where  he  was  instructed  by  the  priests  in  all 
their  learning,  and  afterwards  journeyed  to  the  East,  and 
visited  the  Persian  and  Chaldean  Magi,  and  the  Brah- 
mins of  India. 

At  Crotona,  where  he  finally  established  himself,  his 
extraordinary  qualities  collected  round  him  a  great  num- 
ber of  disciples.  The  inhabitants  were  notorious  for  lux- 
ury and  licentiousness,  but  the  good  effects  of  his  influence 
were  soon  visible.  Sobriety  and  temperance  succeeded. 
Six  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  became  his  disciples  and 
enrolled  themselves  in  a  society  to  aid  each  other  in  the 
pursuit  of  wisdom ;  uniting  their  property  in  one  common 
stock,  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole.  They  were  required 
to  practise  the  greatest  purity  and  simplicity  of  manners. 
The  first  lesson  they  learned  was  silence  ;  for  a  time  they 
were  required  to  be  only  hearers.     "He  [Pythagoras] 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  385 

said  so,"  (Ipse  dixit,)  was  to  be  held  by  them  as  sufficient, 
without  any  proof.  It  was  only  the  advanced  pupils,  after 
years  of  patient  submission,  who  were  allowed  to  ask 
questions  and  to  state  objections. 

Pythagoras  considered  numbers  as  the  essence  and 
principle  of  all  things,  and  attributed  to  them  a  real  and 
distinct  existence ;  so  that  in  his  view,  they  were  the 
elements  out  of  which  the  universe  was  constructed.  How 
he  conceived  this  process  has  never  been  satisfactorily 
explained.  He  traced  the  various  forms  and  phenomena 
of  the  world  to  numbers  as  their  basis  and  essence.  The 
"  Monad  "  or  unit  he  regarded  as  the  source  of  all  numbers. 
The  number  Two  was  imperfect,  and  the  cause  of  increase 
and  division.  TJiree  was  called  the  number  of  the  whole 
because  it  had  a  beginning,  middle,  and  end ;  Four,  repre- 
senting the  square,  is  in  the  highest  degree  perfect ;  and 
Ten,  as  it  contains  the  sum  of  the  four  prime  numbers, 
comprehends  all  musical  and  arithmetical  proportions,  and 
denotes  the  system  of  the  world. 

As  the  numbers  proceed  from  the  monad,  so  he  regard- 
ed the  pure  and  simple  essence  of  the  Deity,  as  the  source 
of  all  the  forms  of  nature.  Gods,  demons  and  heroes  are 
emanations  of  the  Supreme,  and  there  is  a  fourth  emana- 
tion, the  human  soul.  This  is  immortal,  and  when  freed 
from  the  fetters  of  the  body,  passes  to  the  habitation  of 
the  dead,  where  it  remains  till  it  returns  to  the  world,  to 
dwell  in  some  other  human  or  animal  body,  and  at  last 
when  sufficiently  purified,  it  returns  to  the  source  from 
which  it  proceeded.  This  doctrine  of  the  transmigration 
of  souls,  (metempsychosis,)  which  was  originally  Egyptian 
and  connected  with  the  doctrine  of  reward  and  punish- 
ment of  human  actions,  was  the  chief  cause  why  the  Py- 
thagoreans killed  no  animals.  Ovid  represents  Pythagoras 
33 


386  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

addressing  his. disciples  in  these  words :  "  Souls  never  die, 
but  always  on  quitting  one  abode,  pass  to  another.  I  my- 
self can  remember  that  in  the  time  of  the  Trojan  war  I 
was  Euphorbus,  the  son  of  Panthus,  and  fell  by  the  spear 
of  Menelaus.  Lately  being  in  the  temple  of  Juno,  at 
Argos,  I  recognized  my  shield  hung  up  there  among  the 
trophies.  All  things  change,  nothing  perishes.  Tlae  soul 
passes  hither  and  thither,  occupying  now  this  body,  now 
that,  passing  from  the  body  of  a  beast  into  that  of  a  man, 
and  thence  to  a  beast's  again.  As  wax  is  stamped  with 
certain  figures,  then  melted,  then  stamped  anew  with  oth- 
ers, yet  is  always  the  same  wax,  so  the  soul,  being  always 
the  same,  yet  wears,  at  different  times,  different  forms. 
Therefore,  if  the  love  of  kindred  is  not  extinct  in  your 
bosoms,  forbear,  I  entreat  you,  to  violate  the  life  of  those 
who  may  haply  be  your  own  relatives." 

Shakspeare,  in  the  Merchant  of  Venice,  makes  Gra- 
tiano  allude  to  the  metempsychosis,  where  he  says  to  Shy- 
lock,  — 

"  Thou  almost  mak'st  me  waver  in  my  faith, 
To  hold  opinion  with  Pythagoras, 
That  souls  of  animals  infuse  themselves 
Into  the  trunks  of  men ;  thy  currish  spirit 
Governed  a  wolf;  who  hanged  for  human  slaughter 
Infused  his  soul  in  thee ;  for  thy  desires 
Are  wolfish,  bloody,  starved  and  ravenous." 

The  relation  of  the  notes  of  the  musical  scale  to  num- 
bers, whereby  harmony  results  from  vibrations  in  equal 
times,  and  discord  from  the  reverse,  led  Pythagoras  to  ap- 
ply the  word  "  harmony  "  to  the  visible  creation,  meanmg 
by  it  the  just  adaptation  of  parts  to  each  other.  This  is 
the  idea  which  Dryden  expresses  in  the  beginning  of  his 
Song  for  St.  Cecilia's  Day  :  — 


STORIES    OP     GODS    AND    HEROES.  387 

"  From  harmony,  from  heavenly  harmony 
This  everlasting  frame  began  ; 
From  harmony  to  harmony 
Through  all  the  compass  of  the  notes  it  ran, 
The  Diapason  closing  full  in  Man." 

In  the  centre  of  the  universe  (he  taught)  there  was  a 
central  fire,  the  principle  of  life.  The  central  fire  was 
surrounded  by  the  earth,  the  moon,  the  sun,  and  the  five 
planets.  The  distances  of  the  various  heavenly  bodies 
from  one  another  were  conceived  to  correspond  to  the  pro- 
portions of  the  musical  scale.  The  heavenly  bodies,  with 
the  gods  who  inhabited  them,  were  supposed  to  perform  a 
choi'al  dance  round  the  central  fire, "  not  without  song."  It 
is  this  doctrine  which  Shakspeare  alludes  to  when  he  makes 
Lorenzo  teach  astronomy  to  Jessica  in  tliis  fashion :  — 

"  Look,  Jessica,  see  how  the  floor  of  heaven 
Is  thick  inlaid  with  pattens  of  bright  gold ! 
There's  not  the  smallest  orb  that  thou  behold'st 
But  in  his  motion  like  an  angel  sings. 
Still  quiring  to  the  young-eyed  cherubim  ; 
Such  harmony  is  in  immortal  souls  ! 
But  whilst  this  muddy  vesture  of  decay 
Doth  grossly  close  it  in  we  cannot  hear  it." 

Mercha7it  of  Venice. 

The  spheres  were  conceived  to  be  crystalline  or  glassy 
fabrics  arranged  over  one  another  like  a  nest  of  bowls 
reversed.  In  the  substance  of  each  sphere  one  or  more 
of  the  heavenly  bodies  was  supposed  to  be  fixed,  so  as  to 
move  with  it.  As  the  spheres  are  transparent  we  look 
through  them  and  see  the  heavenly  bodies  which  they  con- 
tain and  carry  round  with  them.  But  as  these  spheres  can- 
not move  on  one  another  without  friction,  a  sound  is  there- 
by produced  which  is  of  exquisite  harmony,  too  fine  for 
mortal  ears  to  recognize.  Milton,  in  his  Hymn  to  the 
Nativity,  thus  alludes  to  the  music  of  the  spheres :  — 


388  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

"  Ring  out,  ye  crystal  spheres  ! 
Once  bless  our  human  ears  ; 

(If  ye  have  power  to  charm  our  senses  so ;) 
And  let  your  silver  chime 
y  Move  in  melodious  time, 

And  let  the  base  of  Heaven's  deep  organ  blow ; 
And  with  your  ninefold  harmony 
Make  up  full  concert  with  the  angelic  symphony." 

Pythagoras  is  said  to  have  invented  the  lyre.  Our  own 
poet  Longfellow,  in  Verses  to  a  Child,  thus  relates  the 
story:  — 

"  As  great  Pythagoras  of  yore. 
Standing  beside  the  blacksmith's  door, 
And  hearing  the  hammers  as  they  smote 
The  anvils  with  a  different  note, 
Stole  from  the  varying  tones  that  hung 
Vibrant  on  every  iron  tongue. 
The  secret  of  the  sounding  wire, 
And  formed  the  seven-chorded  lyre." 

See  also  the  same  poet's  Occultation  of  Orion. 

"The  Samian's  great  ^olian  lyre." 


SYBARIS   AND    CEOTONA. 

Sybaris,  a  neighboring  city  to  Crotona,  was  as  celebrat- 
ed for  luxury  and  effeminacy  as  Crotona  for  the  reverse. 
The  name  has  become  proverbial.  J.  R.  Lowell  uses  it 
in  this  sense  in  his  charming  little  poem,  —  To  the  Dande- 
lion :  — 

*'  Not  in  mid  June  the  golden-cuirassed  bee 
Feels  a  more  summer-like,  warm  ravishment 

In  the  white  lily's  breezy  tent, 
(His  conquered  Sybaris)  than  I  when  first 
From  the  dark  green  thy  yellow  circles  burst." 

A  war  arose  between  the  two  cities,  and  Sybaris  was 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  389 

conquered  and  destroyed.  Milo  the  celebrated  athlete  led 
the  army  of  Crotoua.  Many  stories  are  told  of  Milo's 
vast  strength,  such  as  his  carrying  a  heifer  of  four  years 
old  upon  his  shoulders  and  afterwards  eating  the  whole  of 
it  in  a  single  day.  The  mode  of  his  death  is  thus  related. 
As  he  was  passing  through  a  forest  he  saw  the  trunk  of  a 
tree  which  had  been  partially  split  open  by  wood-cutters, 
and  attempted  to  rend  it  further;  but  the  wood  closed 
upon  his  hands  and  held  him  fast,  in  which  state  he  was 
attacked  and  devoured  by  wolves. 

Byron,  in  his  Ode  to  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  alludes  to 
the  story  of  Milo :  — 

"  He  who  of  old  would  rend  the  oak 
Deemed  not  of  the  rebound ; 
Chained  by  the  trunk  he  vainly  broke, 
Alone,  how  looked  he  round  !  " 


EGYPTIAN   DEITIES. 

The  Egyptians  acknowledged  as  the  highest  deity 
Amun,  afterwards  called  Zeus,  or  Jupiter  Ammon.  Amun 
manifested  himself  in  his  word  or  will,  which  created 
Kneph  and  Athor,  of  different  sexes.  From  Kneph  and 
Athor  proceeded  Osiris  and  Isis.  Osiris  was  worshipped 
as  the  god  of  the  sun,  the  source  of  warmth,  life,  and  fruit- 
fulness,  in  addition  to  which  he  was  also  regarded  as  the 
god  of  the  Nile,  who  annually  visited  his  wife,  Isis,  (the 
Earth,)  by  means  of  an  inundation.  Serapis  or  Hermes 
is  sometimes  represented  as  identical  with  Osiris,  and 
sometimes  as  a  distinct  divinity,  the  ruler  of  Tartarus  and 
god  of  medicine.  Anubis  is  the  guardian  god,  represented 
with  a  dog's  head,  emblematic  of  his  character  of  fidelity 
33* 


390 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


and  watchfulness.  Horus  or  Harpocrates  was  the  son  of 
Osiris.  He  is  represented  seated  on  a  Lotus  flower,  with 
his  finger  on  his  lips,  as  the  god  of  Silence. 


Anubis. 

In  one  of  Moore's  Irish  Melodies  is  an  allusion  to  Har- 
pocrates :  — 

"  Thyself  shall,  under  some  rosy  bower. 

Sit  mute,  with  thy  finger  on  thy  lip ; 
Like  him,  the  boy,  who  born  among 

The  flowers  that  on  the  Nile-stream  blush, 
Sits  ever  thus,  —  his  only  song 

To  Earth  and  Heaven,  "  Hush  all,  hush ! " 


MYTH   OP  OSIRIS  AND   ISIS. 

Osiris  and  Isis  were  at  one  time  induced  to  descend  to 
the  earth  to  bestow  gifts  and  blessings  on  its  inhabitants. 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  391 

Isis  showed  them  first  the  use  of  wheat  and  barley,  and 
Osiris  made  the  instruments  of  agriculture  and  taught  men 
the  use  of  them,  as  weU  as  how  to  harness  the  ox  to  the 
plough.  He  then  gave  men  laws,  the  institution  of  mar- 
riage, a  civil  organization,  and  taught  them  how  to  worship 
the  gods.  After  he  had  thus  made  the  valley  of  the  Nile 
a  happy  country,  he  assembled  a  host  with  which  he  went 
to  bestow  his  blessings  upon  the  rest  of  the  world.  He 
conquered  the  nations  every  where,  but  not  with  weapons, 
only  with  music  and  eloquence.  His  brother  Typhon  saw 
this,  and  filled  with  envy  and  malice  sought  during  his 
absence  to  usurp  his  throne.  But  Isis,  who  held  the  reins 
of  government,  frustrated  his  plans.  Still  more  imbit- 
tered,  he  now  resolved  to  kill  his  bi'other.  This  he  did  in 
the  following  manner.  Having  organized  a  conspiracy  of 
seventy-two  members  he  went  with  them  to  the  feast 
which  was  celebrated  in  honor  of  the  king's  return.  He 
then  caused  a  box  or  chest  to  be  brought  in,  which  had 
been  made  to  fit  exactly  the  size  of  Osiris,  and  declared 
that  he  would  give  that  chest  of  precious  wood  to  whoso- 
ever could  get  into  it.  The  rest  tried  in  vain,  but  no 
sooner  was  Osiris  in  it  than  Typhon  and  his  companions 
closed  the  lid  and  flung  the  chest  into  the  Nile.  "When 
Isis  heard  of  the  cruel  murder  she  wept  and  mourned, 
and  then  with  her  hair  shorn,  clothed  in  black  and  beating 
her  breast,  she  sought  diligently  for  the  body  of  her  hus- 
band. In  this  search  she  was  materially  assisted  by  Anu- 
bis,  the  son  of  Osu-is  and  Nephthys.  They  sought  in  vain 
for  some  time ;  for  when  the  chest,  carried  by  the  waves 
to  the  shores  of  Byblos,  had  become  entangled  in  the 
reeds  that  grew  at  the  edge  of  the  water,  the  divine 
power  that  dwelt  in  the  body  of  Osiris  imparted  such 
strength  to  the  shrub  that  it  grew  into  a  mighty  tree,  en- 


392 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


closing  in  its  trunk  the  coffin  of  the  god.  This  tree  with 
its  sacred  deposit  was  shortly  after  felled,  and  erected  as  a 
column  in  the  palace  .of  the  king  of  Phoenicia.  But  at 
length  by  the  aid  of  Anubis  and  the  sacred  birds,  Isis 
ascertained  these  facts,  and  then  went  to  the  royal  city. 
There  she  offered  herself  at  the  palace  as  a  servant,  and 
being  admitted,  threw  off"  her  disguise  and  appeared  as 
the  goddess,  surrounded  with  thunder  and  lightning. 
Striking  the  column  with  her  wand  she  caused  it  to  split 
open  and  give  up  the  sacred  coffin.  This  she  seized  and 
returned  with  it,  and  concealed  it  in  the  depth  of  a  forest, 
but  Typhon  discovered  it,  and  cutting  the  body  into  four- 
teen pieces  scattered  them  hither  and  thither.  After  a 
tedious  search,  Isis  found  thirteen  pieces,  the  fishes  of  the 
Nile  having  eaten  the  other.  This  she  replaced  by  an 
imitation  of  sycamore  wood,  and  buried  the  body  at  Phi- 
loe,  which  became  ever  after  the  great  burying  place  of 
the  nation,  and  the  spot  to  which  pilgrimages  were  made 
from  all  parts  of  the  country. .  A  temple  of  surpassing 
magnificence  was  also  erected  there  in  honor  of  the  god, 
and  at  every  place  where  one  of  his  limbs  had  been  found, 
minor  temples  and  tombs  were  built  to  commemorate  the 
event.  Osiris  became  after  that  the  tutelar  deity  of  the 
Egyptians.  His  soul  was  supposed  always  to  inhabit  the 
body  of  the  bull  Apis,  and  at  his  death  to  transfer  itself 
to  his  successor. 

Apis,  the  Bull  of  Memphis,  was  worshipped  with  the 
greatest  reverence  by  the  Egyptians.  The  individual  ani- 
mal who  was  held  to  be  Apis  was  recognized  by  certain 
signs.  It  was  requisite  that  he  should  be  quite  black,  have 
a  white  square  mark  on  the  forehead,  another,  in  the  form 
of  an  eagle,  on  his  back,  and  under  his  tongue  a  lump 
somewhat  in  the  shape  of  a  scarabaeus  or  beetle.    As  soon 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  393 

as  a  bull  thus  marked  was  found  by  those  sent  in  search 
of  him,  he  was  placed  in  a  building  facing  the  east,  and 
was  fed  with  milk  foi*  four  months.  At  the  expiration  of 
this  term  the  priests  repaired  at  new  moon,  with  great 
pomp,  to  his  habitation  and  saluted  him  Apis.  He  was 
placed  in  a  vessel  magnificently  decorated  and  conveyed 
down  the  Nile  to  Memphis,  where  a  temple,  with  two 
chapels  and  a  court  for  exercise,  was  assigned  to  him. 
Sacrifices  were  made  to  him,  and  once  every  year,  about 
the  time  when  the  Nile  began  to  rise,  a  golden  cup  was 
thrown  into  the  river,  and  a  grand  festival  was  held  to 
celebrate  his  birthday.  The  people  believed  that  during 
this  festival  the  crocodiles  forgot  their  natural  ferocity  and 
became  harmless.  There  was  however  one  drawback  to 
his  happy  lot ;  he  was  not  permitted  to  live  beyond  a  cer- 
tain period;  and  if  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of 
twenty-five  years,  he  still  survived,  the  priests  drowned 
him  in  the  sacred  cistern,  and  then  buried  him  in  the  tem- 
ple of  Serapis.  On  the  death  of  this  bull,  whether  it 
occurred  in  the  course  of  nature  or  by  violence,  the  whole 
land  was  filled  with  sorrow  and  lamentations,  which  lasted 
until  his  successor  was  found. 

We  find  the  following  item  in  one  of  the  newspapers  of 
the  day :  — 

Tlie  Tomb  of  Apis.  —  The  excavations  going  on  at 
Memphis  bid  fair  to  make  that  buried  city  as  interesting 
as  Pompeii.  The  monster  tomb  of  Apis  is  now  open, 
after  having  lain  unknown  for  centuries. 

Milton,  in  his  Hymn  of  the  Nativity,  alludes  to  the 
Egyptian  deities,  not  as  imaginary  beings,  but  as  real 
demons,  put  to  flight  by  the  coming  of  Christ :  — 


394  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

"  The  brutish  gods  of  Nile  as  fast, 
Isis  and  Horus  and  the  dog  Anubis  haste. 

Nor  is  Osiris  seen 

In  Memphian  grove  or  green 
Trampling  the  *  unshowered  grass  with  lowings  loud ; 

Nor  can  he  be  at  rest 

Within  his  sacred  chest ; 
Nought  but  profoundest  hell  can  be  his  shroud. 

In  vain  with  timbrel'd  anthems  dark 
The  sable-stoled  sorcerers  bear  Ms  worshipped  ark." 

Isis  was  represented  in  statuary  with  the  head  veiled,  a 
symbol  of  mystery.  It  is  this  which  Tennyson  alludes  to 
in  Maud,  IV.  8:  — 

"  For  the  drift  of  the  Maker  is  dark,  an 
Isis  hid  by  the  veil,"  &c. 


OKACLES. 

Oracle  was  the  name  used  to  denote  the  place  where 
answers  were  supposed  to  be  given  by  any  of  the  divini- 
ties to  those  who  consulted  them  respecting  the  future. 
The  word  was  also  used  to  signify  the  response  which  was 
given. 

The  most  ancient  Grecian  oracle  was  that  of  Jupiter  at 
Dodona.  According  to  one  account  it  was  established  in 
the  following  manner.  Two  black  doves  took  their  flight 
from  Thebes  in  Egypt.  One  flew  to  Dodona  in  Epirus, 
and  alighting  in  a  grove  of  oaks,  it  proclaimed  in  human 
language  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  that  they  must 

*  There  being  no  rain  in  Egypt,  the  grass  is  "  unshowered,"  and  the 
country  depends  for  its  fertility  upon  the  overflowings  of  the  Nile. 
The  ark  alluded  to  in  the  last  line  is  shown  by  pictures  still  remaining 
on  the  walls  of  the  Egyptian  temples  to  have  been  borne  by  the  priests 
in  their  religious  processions.  It  probably  represented  the  chest  in 
which  Osiris  was  placed. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  395 

establish  there  an  oracle  of  Jupiter.  The  othe;*  dove  flew 
to  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Ammon  in  the  Libyan  oasis,  and 
delivered  a  similar  command  there.  Another  account  is, 
that  they  were  not  doves,  but  priestesses,  who  were  carried 
off  from  Thebes  in  Egypt  by  the  Phcenicians,  and  set  up 
oracles  at  the  Oasis  and  Dodona.  The  responses  of  the 
oracle  were  given  from  the  trees,  by  the  branches  rustling 
in  the  wind,  the  sounds  being  interpreted  by  the  priests. 

But  the  most  celebrated  of  the  Grecian  oracles  was  that 
of  Apollo  at  Delphi,  a  city  built  on  the  slopes  of  Parnas- 
sus in  Phocis. 

It  had  been  observed  at  a  very  early  period  that  the 
goats  feeding  on  Parnassus  were  thrown  into  convulsions 
when  they  approached  a  certain  long  deep  cleft  in  the  side 
of  the  mountain.  This  was  owing  to  a  peculiar  vapor 
arising  out  of  the  cavern,  and  one  of  the  goatherds  was 
induced  to  try  its  effects  upon  himself.  Inhaling  the  in- 
toxicating air  he  was  affected  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
cattle  had  been,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  surrounding 
country,  unable  to  explain  the  circumstance,  imputed  the 
convulsive  ravings  to  which  he  gave  utterance  while  under 
the  power  of  the  exhalations,  to  a  divine  inspiration.  The 
fact  was  speedily  circulated  widely,  and  a  temple  was 
erected  on  the  spot.  The  prophetic  influence  was  at  first 
variously  attributed  to  the  goddess  Eai'th,  to  Neptune, 
Themis,  and  others,  but  it  was  at  length  assigned  to 
Apollo,  and  to  him  alone.  A  priestess  was  appointed 
whose  oflice  it  was  to  inhale  the  hallowed  air,  and  who 
was  named  the  Pythia.  She  was  prepared  for  this  duty 
by  previous  ablution  at  the  fountain  of  Castalia,  and  being 
crowned  with  laurel  was  seated  upon  a  tripod  similarly 
adorned,  which  was  placed  over  the  chasm  whence  the 
divine  afflatus  proceeded.  Her  inspired  words  while  thus 
situated  were  interpreted  by  the  priests. 


39G  STOKIES    OF   GODS   AND   UEKOES. 


OEACLE  OP  TROPHONIUS. 

Besides  the  oracles  of  Jupiter  and  Apollo,  at  Dodona 
and  Delphi,  that  of  Trophonius  in  Bceotia  was  held  in 
high  estimation.  Trophonius  and  Agamedes  were  broth- 
ers. They  were  distinguished  architects,  and  built  the 
temple  of  Apollo  at  Delphi,  and  a  treasury  for  King  Hy- 
rieus.  In  the  wall  of  the  treasury  they  placed  a  stone,  in 
such  a  manner  that  it  could  be  taken  out ;  and  by  this 
means  from  time  to  time  purloined  the  treasure.  This 
amazed  Hyrieus,  for  his  locks  and  seals  were  untouched, 
and  yet  his  wealth  continually  diminished.  At  length  he 
set  a  trap  for  the  thief  and  Agamedes  was  caught.  Tro- 
phonius unable  to  extricate  him,  and  fearing  that  when 
foond  he  would  be  compelled  by  torture  to  discover  his 
accomplice,  cut  off  his  head.  Trophonius  himself  is  said 
to  have  been  shortly  afterwards  swallowed  up  by  the  earth. 

The  oracle  of  Trophonius  Avas  at  Lebadea  in  Bceotia. 
During  a  great  drought  the  Boeotians,  it  is  said,  were  di- 
rected by  the  god  at  Delphi  to  seek  aid  of  Trophonius  at 
Lebadea.  They  came  thither,  but  could  find  no  oracle. 
One  of  them  however,  happening  to  see  a  swarm  of  bees, 
followed  them  to  a  chasm  in  the  earth,  which  proved  to  be 
the  place  sought. 

Peculiar  ceremonies  were  to  be  performed  by  the  per- 
son who  came  to  consult  the  oracle.  After  these  prelimi- 
naries, he  descended  into  the  cave  by  a  narrow  passage. 
This  place  could  be  entered  only  in  the  night.  The  per- 
son returned  from  the  cave  by  the  same  narrow  passage, 
but  walking  backwards.  He  appeared  melancholy  and 
dejected ;  and  hence  the  proverb  which  was  apphed  to  a 
person  low-spirited  and  gloomy,  "  He  ha.s  been  consulting 
the  oracle  of  Trophonius." 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES.  397 


ORACLE   OP  ^SCULAPIUS. 

There  were  numerous  oracles  of  -^sculapius,  but  the 
most  celebrated  one  was  at  Epidaurus.  Here  the  sick 
sought  responses  and  the  recovery  of  their  health  by  sleep- 
ing in  the  temple.  It  has  been  inferred  from  the  accounts 
that  have  come  down  to  us,  that  the  treatment  of  the  sick 
resembled  what  is  now  called  Animal  Magnetism  or  Mes- 
merism, 

Serpents  were  sacred  to  iEsculapius,  probably  because 
of  a  superstition  that  those  animals  have  a  faculty  of  re- 
newing their  youth  by  a  change  of  skin.  The  worship  of 
-^sculapius  was  introduced  into  Rome  in  a  time  of  great 
sickness,  and  an  embassy  sent  to  the  temple  of  Epidaurus 
to  entreat  the  aid  of  the  god.  iEsculapius  was  propitious, 
and  on  the  retui-n  of  the  ship  accompanied  it  in  the  form 
of  a  serpent.  Arriving  in  the  river  Tiber,  the  serpent 
glided  from  the  vessel  and  took  possession  of  an  island  in 
the  river,  and  a  temple  was  there  erected  to  his  honor. 


ORACLE    OP   APIS. 

At  Memphis  the  sacred  bull  Apis  gave  answer  to  those 
who  consulted  him,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  received  or 
rejected  what  was  presented  to  him.  If  the  bull  refused 
food  from  the  hand  of  the  inquirer  it  was  considered  an 
unfavorable  sign,  and  the  contrary  when  he  received  it. 

It  has  been  a  question  whether  oracular  responses  ought 

to  be  ascribed  to  mere  human  contrivance  or  to  the  agency 

of  evil  spirits.     The  latter  opinion  has  been  most  general 

in  past  ages.     A  third  theory  has  been  advanced  since 

3i 


398  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

the  phenomena  of  Mesmerism  have  attracted  attention, 
that  something  hke  the  mesmeric  trance  was  induced  in 
the  Pythoness,  and  the  faculty  of  clairvoyance  really 
called  into  action. 

Another  question  is  as  to  the  time  when  the  Pagan 
oracles  ceased  to  give  responses.  Ancient  Christian  wri- 
ters assert  that  they  became  silent  at  the  birth  of  Christ, 
and  were  heard  no  more  after  that  date.  Milton  adopts 
this  view  in  his  Hymn  of  the  Nativity,  and  in  lines  of 
solemn  and  elevated  beauty  pictures  the  consternation  of 
the  heathen  idols  at  the  advent  of  the  Savior. 

"  The  oracles  are  dumb  ; 
No  voice  or  hideous  hum 

Rings  through  the  arched  roof  in  words  deceiving. 
Apollo  from  his  shrine 
Can  no  more  divine, 

With  hollow  shriek  the  steep  of  Delphos  leaving. 
No  nightly  trance  or  breathed  spell 
Inspires  the  pale-eyed  priest  from  the  prophetic  cell." 

In  Cowper's  poem  of  Yardley  Oak  there  are  some 
beautiful  mythological  allusions.  The  former  of  the  two 
following  is  to  the  fable  of  Castor  and  Pollux;  the  latter 
is  more  appropriate  to  our  present  subject^^  Addressing 
the  acorn  he  says, — 

"  Thou  fell'st  mature  ;  and  in  the  loamy  clod, 
Swelling  with  vegetative  force  instinct, 
Didst  burst  thine  egg,  as  theirs  the  fabled  Twins 
Now  stars ;  two  lobes  protruding,  paired  exact; 
A  leaf  succeeded  and  another  leaf. 
And,  all  the  elements  thy  puny  growth 
Fostering  propitious,  thou  becam'st  a  tvvig. 
Who  lived  when  thou  wast  such  ?     O,  couldst  thou  speak, 
As  in  Dodona  once  thy  kindred  trees 
Oracular,  I  would  not  curious  ask 
The  future,  best  unknown,  but  at  thy  mouth 
Inquisitive,  the  loss  ambiguous  past."  -  , 


STORIES    OV    GOUS    AND    HKUOKS.  399 

Tennyson  in  his  Talking  Oak  alludes  to  the  oaks  of 
Dodona  in  these  lines :  — 

"  And  I  will  work  in  prose  and  rhyme, 

And  praise  thee  more  in  both 
Than  bard  has  honored  beech  or  lime, 

On  that  Thcssalian  growth 
In  which  the  swarthy  ring-dove  sat 

And  mystic  sentence  spoke; "  &c. 

Byron  alludes  to  the  oracle  of  Delphi  where  speaking 
of  Rousseau,  whose  writings  he  conceives  did  much  to 
bring  on  the  French  revolution,  he  says,  — 

"  For  then  he  was  inspired,  and  from  him  came. 
As  from  the  Pythian's  mystic  cave  of  yore, 
Those  oracles  which  set  tlic  world  in  flame, 

Nor  ceased  to  burn  till  kingdoms  were  no  more." 


400 


STOEIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER     XXXV. 

ORIGIN  OF  MYTHOLOGY— STATUES  OF  GODS  AND 
GODDESSES  — POETS  OF  MYTHOLOGY. 

ORIGIN   OP   MYTHOLOGY. 


Having  reached  the  close  of  our  series  of  stories  of 
Pagan  mythology,  an  inquiry  suggests  itself.  "  "Whence 
came  these  stories  ?  Have  they  a  foundation  in  truth,  or 
are  they  simply  dreams  of  the  imagination  ?  "  Philoso- 
phers have  suggested  various  theories  on  the  subject ;  and 
1.  The  Scriptural  theory;  according  to  which  all  my- 
thological legends  are  derived  from  the  narratives  of 
Scripture,  though  the  real  facts  have  been  disguised  and 
altered.  Thus  Deucalion  is  only  another  name  for  Noah, 
Hercules  for  Samson,  Arion  for  Jonah,  &c.  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  in  his  History  of  the  "World,  says,  "  Jubal,  Tubal, 
and  Tubal-Cain  were  Mercury,  "Vulcan,  and  Apollo,  in- 
ventors of  Pasturage,  Smithing,  and  Music.  The  Dragon 
which  kept  the  golden  apples  was  the  serpent  that  beguiled 
Eve.  Nimrod's  tower  Avas  the  attempt  of  the  Giants 
against  Heaven."  Tliere  are  doubtless  many  curious 
coincidences  like  these,  but  the  theory  cannot  without  ex- 
travagance be  pushed  so  far  as  to  account  for  any  great 
proportion  of  the  stories. 

2.  The  Historical  theory ;  according  to  which  all  the 
persons  mentioned  in  mythology  were  once  real  human 
beings,  and  the  legends  and  fabulous  traditions  relating  to 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES.  401 

them  are  merely  the  additions  and  embellishments  of  later 
times.  Thus  the  story  of  iEolus,  the  king  and  god  of  the 
winds,  is  supposed  to  have  risen  from  the  fact  that  -3Solu3 
was  the  ruler  of  some  islands  in  the  Tyrrhenian  Sea, 
where  he  reigned  as  a  just  and  pious  king,  and  taught  the 
natives  the  use  of  sails  for  ships,  and  how  to  tell  from  the 
signs  of  the  atmosphere  the  changes  of  the  weather  and 
the  winds.  Cadmus,  who,  the  legend  says,  sowed  the  earth 
with  dragon's  teeth,  from  which  sprang  a  crop  of  armed 
men,  was  in  fact  an  emigrant  from  Phoenicia,  and  brought 
with  him  into  Greece  the  knowledge  of  the  letters  of  the 
alphabet,  which  he  taught  to  the  natives.  From  these  ru- 
diments of  learning  sprung  civilization,  which  the  poets  have 
always  been  prone  to  describe  as  a  deterioration  of  man's 
first  estate,  the  Golden  Age  of  innocence  and  simplicity. 
3.  The  Allegorical  theory  supposes  that  all  the  myths 
of  the  ancients  were  allegorical  and  symbolical,  and  con- 
tained some  moral,  religious,  or  philosophical  truth  or  his- 
torical fact,  under  the  form  of  an  allegory,  but  came  in 
process  of  time  to  be  understood  literally.  Thus  Saturn, 
who  devours  his  own  children,  is  the  same  power  whom 
the  Greeks  called  Cronos,  (Time,)  which  may  truly  be 
said  to  destroy  whatever  it  has  brought  into  existence. 
The  story  of  lo  is  interpreted,  in  a  similar  manner.  lo  is 
the  moon,  and  Argus  the  starry  sky,  which,  as  it  were, 
keeps  sleepless  watch  over  her.  The  fabulous  wanderings 
of  lo  represent  the  continual  revolutions  of  the  moon, 
which  also  suggested  to  Milton  the  same  idea. 

"  To  behold  the  wandering  moon 
Riding  near  her  highest  noon, 
Like  one  that  had  been  led  astray 
In  the  heaven's  wide,  pathless  way." 

U  Penseroso. 

34* 


402  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

4.  The  Physical  theory ;  according  to  which  the  ele- 
ments of  air,  fire,  and  water  were  originally  the  objects  of 
religious  adoration,  and  the  principal  deities  were  person- 
ifications of  the  powers  of  nature.  The  transition  was 
easy  from  a  personification  of  the  elements  to  the  notion 
of  supernatural  beings  presiding  over  and  governing  the 
different  objects  of  nature.  The  Greeks,  whose  imagina- 
tion was  lively,  peopled  all  nature  with  invisible  beings, 
and  supposed  that  every  object,  from  the  sun  and  sea  to 
the  smallest  fountain  and  rivulet,  was  under  the  care  of 
some  particular  divinity.  Wordsworth,  in  his  Excursion, 
has  beautifully  developed  this  view  of  Grecian  mythology. 

"In  that  fair  clime  the  lonely  herdsman,  stretched 
On  the  soft  grass  through  half  a  summer's  day, 
With  music  lulled  his  indolent  repose ; 
And,  in  some  fit  of  weariness,  if  he. 
When  his  own  breath  was  silent,  chanced  to  hear 
A  distant  strain  far  sweeter  than  the  sounds 
Which  his  poor  skill  could  make,  his  fancy  fetched 
Even  from  the  blazing  chariot  of  the  Sun 
A  beardless  youth  who  touched  a  golden  lute, 
And  filled  the  illumined  groves  with  ravishment. 
The  mighty  hunter,  lifting  up  his  eyes 
Toward  the  crescent  Moon,  with  grateful  heart 
Called  on  the  lovely  Wanderer  who  bestowed 
That  timely  light  to  share  his  joyous  sport ; 
And  hence  a  beaming  goddess  with  her  nymphs 
Across  the  lawn  and  through  the  darksome  grove 
(Not  unaccompanied  with  tuneful  notes 
By  echo  multiplied  from  rock  or  cave) 
Swept  in  the  storm  of  chase,  as  moon  and  stars 
Glance  rapidly  along  the  clouded  heaven 
When  winds  are  blowing  strong.    The  Traveller  slaked 
His  thirst  from  rill  or  gushing  fount,  and  thanked 
The  Naiad.     Sunbeams  upon  distant  hills 
Gliding  apace  with  shadows  in  their  train, 
Might  with  small  help  from  fancy,  be  transformed 
Into  fleet  Oreads  sporting  visibly. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES.  403 

The  Zephyrs,  fanning,  as  they  passed,  their  wings, 
Lacked  not  for  love  fair  objects  whom  they  wooed 
With  gentle  whisper.     Withered  boughs  grotesque, 
Stripped  of  their  leaves  and  twigs  by  hoary  age, 
From  depth  of  shaggy  covert  peeping  forth 
In  the  low  vale,  or  on  steep  mountain  side ; 
And  sometimes  intermixed  with  stirring  horns 
Of  the  live  deer,  or  goat's  depending  beard  ; 
These  were  the  lurking  Satyrs,  a  wild  brood 
Of  gamesome  deities  ;  or  Pan  himself. 
The  simple  shepherd's  awe-inspiring  god." 

All  the  theories  which  have  been  mentioned  are  true  to 
a  certain  extent.  It  would  therefore  be  more  correct  to 
say  that  the  mythology  of  a  nation  has  sprung  from  all 
these  sources  combined  than  from  any  one  in  particular. 
We  may  add  also  that  there  are  many  myths  which  have 
arisen  from  the  desire  of  man  to  account  for  those  natural 
phenomena  which  he  cannot  understand ;  and  not  a  few 
have  had  their  rise  from  a  similar  desire  of  giving  a  rea- 
son for  the  names  of  places  and  persons. 


STATUES  OP   THE  GODS. 

To  adequately  represent  to  the  eye  the  ideas  intended 
to  be  conveyed  to  the  mind  under  the  several  names  of 
deities,  was  a  task  which  called  into  exercise  the  highest 
powers  of  genius  and  art.  Of  the  many  attempts  four 
have  been  most  celebrated,  the  first  two  known  to  us  only 
by  the  descriptions  of  the  ancients,  the  others  still  extant 
and  the  acknowledged  masterpieces  of  the  sculptor's  art. 


404  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 


THE   OLYMPIAN   JUPITER. 

The  statue  of  the  Olympian  Jupiter  by  Phidias  was 
considered  the  highest  achievement  of  this  department  of 
Grecian  art.  It  was  of  colossal  dimensions,  and  was  what 
the  ancients  called  "  chryselephantine  ;  "  that  is,  composed 
of  ivory  and  gold ;  the  parts  representing  flesh  being  of 
ivory  laid  on  a  core  of  wood  or  stone,  while  the  drapery 
and  other  ornaments  were  of  gold.  The  height  of  the 
figure  was  forty  feet,  on  a  pedestal  twelve  feet  high.  The 
god  was  represented  seated  on  his  throne.  His  brows 
were  crowned  with  a  wreath  of  olive,  and  he  held  in  his 
right  hand  a  sceptre,  and  in  his  left  a  statue  of  Victory, 
The  throne  was  of  cedar,  adorned  with  gold  and  precious 
stones. 

The  idea  which  the  artist  essayed  to  imbody  was  that 
of  the  supreme  deity  of  the  Hellenic  (Grecian)  nation, 
enthroned  as  a  conqueror,  in  perfect  majesty  and  repose, 
and  ruling  with  a  nod  the  subject  world.  Phidias  avowed 
that  he  took  his  idea  from  the  representation  which  Homer 
gives  in  the  first  book  of  the  Iliad,  in  the  passage  thus 
translated  by  Pope  :  — 

"  He  spoke  and  awful  bends  his  sable  brows, 
Shakes  his  ambrosial  curls  and  gives  the  nod. 
The  stamp  of  fate  and  sanction  of  the  god. 
High  heaven  with  reverence  the  dread  signal  took. 
And  all  Olympus  to  the  centre  shook."  • 

♦  Cowper's  version  is  less  elegant,  but  truer  to  the  original.  — 

"  He  ceased,  and  under  his  dark  brows  the  nod 
Vouchsafed  of  confirmation.    All  around 
The  sovereign's  everlasting  head  his  curls 
Ambrosial  shook,  and  the  huge  mountain  reeled." 


STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  405 


THE  MINERVA  OP  THE   PARTHENON. 

This  was  also  the  work  of  Phidias.  It  stood  in  the 
Parthenon,  or  temple  of  Minerva  at  Athens.  The  goddess 
was  represented  standing.  In  one  hand  she  held  a  spear, 
in  the  other  a  statue  of  Victory.  Her  helmet,  highly  dec- 
orated, was  surmounted  by  a  Sphinx.  The  statue  was 
forty  feet  in  height,  and,  like  the  Jupiter,  composed  of 
ivory  and  gold.  The  eyes  were  of  marble,  and  probably 
painted  to  represent  the  iris  and  pupil.  The  Parthenon 
in  which  this  statue  stood  was  also  constructed  under  the  di- 
rection and  superintendence  of  Phidias.  Its  exterior  was 
enriched  with  sculptures,  many  of  them  from  the  hand  of 
Phidias.  The  Elgin  marbles  now  in  the  British  Museum 
are  a  part  of  them. 

Both  the  Jupiter  and  Minerva  of  Phidias  are  lost,  but 
there  is  good  ground  to  believe  that  we  have,  in  several 
extant  statues  and  busts,  the  artist's  conceptions  of  the 
countenances  of  both.  They  are  characterized  by  grave 
and  dignified  beauty,  and  freedom  from  any  transient  ex- 
pression, which  in  the  language  of  art  is  called  repose. 

It  may  interest  oiir  readers  to  see  how  this  passage  appears  in  an- 
other famous  version,  that  which  was  issued  under  the  name  of  Tickell, 
contemporaneously  -with  Pope's,  and  which,  being  by  many  attributed  to 
Addison,  led  to  the  quarrel  which  ensued  between  Addison  and  Pope. 

"  This  said,  his  kingly  brow  the  sire  inclined ; 
The  large  black  curls  fell  awful  from  behind, 
Thick  shadowing  the  stem  forehead  of  the  god ; 
Olympus  trembled  at  the  almighty  nod." 


406  STOUIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEKOKS. 


THE  VENUS    DE'   MEDICI. 

The  Venus  of  the  Medici  is  so  called  from  its  having 
been  in  the  possession  of  the  princes  of  that  name  in 
Rome  when  it  first  attracted  attention,  about  two  hundred 
years  ago.  An  inscription  on  the  base  records  it  to  be 
the  work  of  Cleomenes,  an  Athenian  sculptor  of  200  B.  C, 
but  the  authenticity  of  the  inscription  is  doubtful.  There 
is  a  story  that  the  artist  was  employed  by  public  authority 
to  make  a  statue  exhibiting  the  perfection  of  female 
beauty,  and  to  aid  him  in  his  task,  the  most  perfect  forms 
the  city  could  supply  were  furnished  him  for  models.  It 
is  this  which  Thomson  alludes  to  in  his  Summer. 


"  So  stands  the  statue  that  enchants  the  world ; 
So  bending  tries  to  veil  the  matchless  boast, 
The  mingled  beauties  of  exulting  Greece." 


Byron  also  alludes  to  this   statue.     Speaking  of  the 
Florence  Museum,  he  says,  — 

"  There  too  the  goddess  loves  in  stone,  and  fills 
The  air  around  \vith  beauty ;  "  &c. 

And  in  the  next  stanza, 

"  Blood,  pulse,  and  breast  confirm  the  Dardan  shepherd's  prize." 

See  this  last  allusion  explained  in  Chapter  XXVII. 


STOBIKS    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  407 


THE  APOLLO   BELVEDERE. 

The  most  highly  esteemed  of"  all  the  remains  of  ancient 
sculpture  is  the  statue  of  Apollo,  called  the  Belvedere, 
from  the  name  of  the  apartment  of  the  Pope's  palace  at 
Rome  in  which  it  is  placed.  The  artist  is  unknown.  It 
is  supposed  to  be  a  work  of  Roman  art,  of  about  the  first 
century  of  our  era.  It  is  a  standing  figure,  in  marble, 
more  than  seven  feet  high,  naked  except  for  the  cloak 
which  is  fastened  around  the  neck  and  hangs  over  the  ex- 
tended left  arm.  It  is  supposed  to  represent  the  god  in 
the  moment  when  he  has  shot  the  arrow  to  destroy  the 
monster  Python.  (See  Chapter  III.)  The  victorious  divin- 
ity is  in  the  act  of  stepping  forward.  The  left  arm  which 
seems  to  have  held  the  bow  is  outstretched,  and  the  head 
is  turned  in  the  same  direction.  In  attitude  and  propor- 
tion the  graceful  majesty  of  the  figure  is  unsurpassed. 
The  effect  is  completed  by  the  countenance,  where,  on  the 
perfection  of  youthful  godlike  beauty  there  dwells  the  con- 
sciousness of  triumphant  power. 


THE   DIANA   A   LA   BICHE. 

The  Diana  of  the  Ilind,  in  the  palace  of  the  Louvre, 
may  be  considered  the  counterpart  to  the  Apollo  Belve- 
dere. The  attitude  much  resembles  that  of  the  Apollo, 
the  sizes  correspond  and  also  the  style  of  execution.  It  is 
a  work  of  the  highest  order,  though  by  no  means  equal  to 
the  Apollo.  The  attitude  is  that  of  hurried  and  eager 
motion,  the  face  that  of  a  huntress  in  the  excitement  of 


408  STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

the  cliase.  The  left  hand  is  extended  over  the  forehead 
of  the  Hind  which  runs  by  her  side,  the  right  arm  reaches 
backward  over  the  shoulder  to  draw  an  arrow  from  the 
quiver. 

THE  POETS  OP  MYTHOLOGY. 

Homer,  from  whose  poems  of  the  Hiad  and  Odyssey 
we  have  taken  the  chief  part  of  our  chapters  of  the 
Trojan  war  and  the  return  of  the  Grecians,  is  almost  as 
mythical  a  personage  as  the  heroes  he  celebrates.  The 
traditionary  story  is  that  he  was  a  wandering  minstrel, 
blind  and  old,  who  travelled  from  place  to  place  singing 
his  lays  to  the  music  of  his  harp,  in  the  courts  of  princes 
or  the  cottages  of  peasants,  and  dependent  upon  the  vol- 
untary offerings  of  his  hearers  for  support.  Byron  calls 
him  "  The  blind  old  man  of  Scio's  rocky  isle,"  and  a  well- 
known  epigram,  alluding  to  the  uncertainty  of  the  fact  of 
his  birthplace,  says,  — 

"  Seven  wealthy  towns  contend  for  Homer  dead, 
Through  which  the  living  Homer  begged  his  bread." 

These  seven  were  Smyrna,  Scio,  Rhodes,  Colophon,  Sala- 
mis,  Argos,  and  Athens. 

Modern  scholars  have  doubted  whether  the  Homeric 
poems  are  the  work  of  any  single  mind.  This  arises  from 
the  difficulty  of  believing  that  poems  of  such  length  could 
have  been  committed  to  writing  at  so  early  an  age  as  that 
usually  assigned  to  these,  an  age  earlier  than  the  date  of 
any  remaining  inscriptions  or  coins,  and  when  no  materials, 
capable  of  containing  such  long  productions  were  yet  in- 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  409 

troduced  into  use.  On  the  other  hand  it  is  asked  how 
poems  of  such  length  could  have  been  handed  down  from 
age  to  age  by  means  of  the  memory  alone.  Tliis  is  an- 
swered by  the  statement  that  there  was  a  professional  body 
of  men,  called  Rhapsodists,  who  recited  the  poems  of 
others,  and  whose  business  it  was  to  commit  to  memory 
and  rehearse  for  pay  the  national  and  patriotic  legends. 

The  prevailing  opinion  of  the  learned,  at  this  time, 
seems  to  be  that  the  framework  and  much  of  the  struc- 
ture of  the  poems  belongs  to  Homer,  but  that  there  are 
numerous  interpolations  and  additions  by  other  hands. 

The  date  assigned  to  Homer,  on  the  authority  of  Herod- 
otus, is  850  B.  C. 

VIRGIL. 

Virgil,  called  also  by  his  surname  Maro,  from  whose 
poem  of  the  -^neid  we  have  taken  the  story  of  ^neas, 
was  one  of  the  great  poets  who  made  the  reign  of  the 
Koman  emperor,  Augustus,  so  celebrated,  under  the  name 
of  the  Augustan  age.  Virgil  was  born  in  Mantua  in  the 
year  70  B.  C.  His  great  poem  is  ranked  next  to  those 
of  Homer,  in  the  highest  class  of  poetical  composition,  the 
Epic.  Virgil  is  far  inferior  to  Homer  in  originality  and 
invention,  but  superior  to  him  in  correctness  and  elegance. 
To  critics  of  English  lineage  Milton  alone  of  modem 
poets  seems  worthy  to  be  classed  with  these  illustrious 
ancients.  His  poem  of  Paradise  Lost,  from  which  we 
have  borrowed  so  many  illustrations,  is  in  many  respects 
equal,  in  some  superior  to  either  of  the  great  works  of 
antiquity.  The  following  epigram  of  Dryden  character- 
izes the  three  poets  with  as  much  truth  as  it  is  usual  to 
find  in  such  pointed  criticism  :  — 
35 


410  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES.- 


On  Milton. 

"  Three  poets  in  three  different  ages  horn, 
Greece,  Italy,  and  England  did  adorn. 
The  first  in  loftiness  of  soul  surpassed, 
The  next  in  majesty,  in  hoth  the  last. 
The  force  of  nature  could  no  further  go ; 
To  make  a  third  she  joined  the  other  two." 

From  Cowper's  Table  Talk :  — 

"  Ages  elapsed  ere  Homer's  lamp  appeared, 
And  ages  ere  the  Mantuan  swan  was  heard. 
To  carry  nature  lengths  unknown  before, 
To  give  a  Milton  birth,  asked  ages  more. 
Thus  genius  rose  and  set  at  ordered  times, 
And  shot  a  dayspring  into  distant  climes, 
Ennobling  every  region  that  he  chose ; 
He  sunk  in  Greece,  in  Italy  he  rose. 
And,  tedious  years  of  Gothic  darkness  past, 
Emerged  all  splendor  in  our  isle  at  last. 
Thus  lovely  Halcyons  dive  into  the  main, 
Then  show  far  off  their  shining  plumes  again.' 


OVID, 

Often  alluded  to  in  poetry  by  his  other  name  of  Naso, 
was  born  in  the  year  43  B.  C.  He  was  educated  for  pub- 
lic life  and  held  some  offices  of  considerable  dignity,  but 
poetry  was  his  delight,  and  he  early  resolved  to  devote 
himself  to  it.  He  accordingly  sought  the  society  of  the 
contemporary  poets,  and  was  acquainted  with  Horace  and 
saw  Virgil,  though  the  latter  died  when  Ovid  was  yet  too 
young  and  undistinguished  to  have  formed  his  acquaint- 
ance. Ovid  spent  an  easy  life  at  Rome  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  competent  income.     He  was  intimate  with  the  family 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  411 

of  Augustus,  the  emperor,  and  it  is  supposed  that  some 
serious  offence  given  to  some  member  of  that  family  was 
the  cause  of  an  event  which  reversed  the  poet's  happy 
circumstances  and  clouded  all  the  latter  portion  of  his  life. 
At  the  age  of  fifty  he  was  banished  from  Rome,  and  or- 
dered to  betake  himself  to  Tomi,  on  the  borders  of  the 
Black  Sea.  Here,  among  the  barbarous  people  and  in  a 
severe  climate,  the  poet,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  all 
the  pleasures  of  a  luxurious  capital  and  the  society  of  his 
most  distinguished  contemporaries,  spent  the  last  ten  years 
of  his  life,  worn  out  with  grief  and  anxiety.  His  only 
consolation  in  exile  was  to  address  his  wife  and  absent 
friends,  and  his  letters  were  all  poetical.  Though  these 
poems  (the  Tristia  and  Letters  from  Pontus)  have  no 
other  topic  than  the  poet's  sorrows,  his  exquisite  taste  and 
fruitful  invention  have  redeemed  them  from  the  charge  of 
being  tedious,  and  they  are  read  with  pleasure  and  even 
with  sympathy. 

The  two  great  works  of  Ovid  are  his  Metamorphoses" 
and  his  Fasti.  They  are  both  mythological  poems,  and 
from  the  former  we  have  taken  most  of  our  stories  of 
Grecian  and  Roman  mythology.  A  late  writer  thus  char- 
acterizes these  poems :  — 

"  The  rich  mythology  of  Greece  furnished  Ovid,  as  it 
may  still  furnish  the  poet,  the  painter,  and  the  sculptor, 
with  materials  for  his  art.  With  exquisite  taste,  simpli- 
city, and  pathos  he  has  narrated  the  fabulous  traditions  of 
early  ages,  and  given  to  them  that  appearance  of  reality 
■which  only  a  master-hand  could  impart.  His  pictures  of 
nature  are  striking  and  true ;  he  selects  with  care  that 
which  is  appropriate ;  he  rejects  the  superfluous ;  and  when 
he  has  completed  his  work,  it  is  neither  defective  nor  re- 
dundant.    The   Metamorphoses  are   read  with   pleasure 


412  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 

by  youth,  and  are  re-read  in  more  advanced  age  with  still 
greater  delight.  The  poet  ventured  to  predict  that  his 
poem  would  survive  him,  and  be  read  wherever  the  Ro- 
man name  was  known." 

The  prediction  above  alluded  to  is  contained  in  the 
closing  lines  of  the  Metamorphoses,  of  which  we  give  a 
literal  translation  below  :  — 

"  And  now  I  close  my  work,  ■which  not  the  ire 
Of  Jove,  nor  tooth  of  time,  nor  sword,  nor  fire 
Shall  bring  to  nought.     Come  when  it  will  that  day 
Which  o'er  the  body,  not  the  mind,  has  sway, 
And  snatch  the  remnant  of  my  Ufe  away, 
My  better  part  above  the  stars  shall  soar, 
And  my  renown  endure  forevermore. 
Where'er  the  Roman  arms  and  arts  shall  spread. 
There  by  the  people  shall  my  book  be  read ; 
And,  if  aught  true  in  poet's  visions  be. 
My  name  and  fame  have  immortality." 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  413 


CHAPTER    XXXYI. 

MODERN    MONSTERS  — THE    PHCENIX  — BASILISK- 
UNICORN—  SALAMANDER. 

MODERN  MONSTERS. 

There  is  a  set  of  imaginary  beings  which  seem  to  have 
been  the  successors  of  the  "  Gorgons,  Hydras,  and  Chime- 
ras dire  "  of  the  old  superstitions,  and,  having  no  connec- 
tion with  the  false  gods  of  Paganism,  to  have  continued 
to  enjoy  an  existence  in  the  popular  belief  after  Paganism* 
was  superseded  by  Christianity.  They  are  mentioned 
perhaps  by  the  classical  writers,  but  their  chief  popularity 
and  currency  seem  to  have  been  in  more  modern  times. 
"We  seek  our  accounts  of  them  not  so  much  in  the  poetry 
of  the  ancients,  as  in  the  old  natural  history  books  and 
narrations  of  travellers.  The  accounts  which  we  are  about 
to  give  are  taken  chiefly  from  the  Penny  Cyclopedia. 


THE  PHCENIX. 

Ovid  tells  the  story  of  the  Phoenix  as  follows.  "  Most 
beings  spring  from  other  individuals  ;  but  there  is  a  cer- 
tain kind  which  reproduces  itself  The  Assyrians  call  it 
the  Phoenix.  It  does  not  live  on  fruit  or  flowers,  but  on 
frankincense  and  odoriferous  gums.  When  it  has  lived 
five  hundred  years,  it  builds  itself  a  nest  in  the  branches 
35* 


414'  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    IIEIIOES. 

of  an  oak,  oi"  on  the  top  of  a  palm  tree.  In  this  it  collects 
cinnamon,  and  spikenard,  and  myrrh,  and  of  these  materi- 
als builds  a  pile  on  which  it  deposits  itself,  and  dying, 
breathes  out  its  last  breath  amidst  odors.  From  the  body 
of  the  parent  bird,  a  young  Phoenix  issues  forth,  destined 
to  live  as  long  a  life  as  its  predecessor.  When  this  has 
grown  up  and  gained  sufficient  strength,  it  lifts  its  nest 
from  the  tree,  (its  own  cradle  and  its  parent's  sepulchre,) 
and  carries  it  to.  the  city  of  Heliopolis  in  Egypt,  and  de- 
posits it  in  the  temple  of  the  Sun." 

Such  is  the  account  given  by  a  poet.  Now  let  us  see 
that  of  a  philosophic  historian.  Tacitus  says,  "In  the 
consulship  of  Paulus  Fabius,  (A.  D.  34,)  the  miraculous 
bird  known  to  the  world  by  the  name  of  the  Phoenix,  after 
disappearing  for  a  series  of  ages,  revisited  Egypt.  It  was 
attended  in  its  flight  by  a  group  of  various  birds,  all  at- 
tracted by  the  novelty,  and  gazing  with  wonder  at  so  beau- 
tiful an  appearance."  He  then  gives  an  account  of  the 
bird,  not  varying  materially  from  the  preceding,  but  adding 
some  details.  "  The  first  care  of  the  young  bird  as  soon 
as  fledged,  and  able  to  trust  to  his  wings,  is,  to  perform  the 
obsequies  of  his  father.  But  this  duty  is  not  undertaken 
rashly.  He  collects  a  quantity  of  myrrh,  and  to  try  his 
strength  makes  frequent  excursions  with  a  load  on  his 
back.  When  he  has  gained  sufficient  confidence  in  his 
own  vigor,  he  takes  up  the  body  of  his  father  and  flies 
with  it  to  the  altar  of  the  Sun,  where  he  leaves  it  to  be 
consumed  in  flames  of  fragrance."  Other  writers  add  a 
few  particulars.  The  myrrh  is  compacted  in  the  form  of 
an  egg,  in  which  the  dead  Phoenix  is  enclosed.  From  the 
mouldering  flesh  of  the  dead  bird  a  worm  springs,  and 
this  worm,  when  grown  large,  is  transformed  into  a  bird. 
Herodotus  describes  the  bird,  though  he  says,  "  I  have  not 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  415 

seen  it  myself,  except  in  a  picture.  Part  of  his  plumage 
is  gold-colored,  and  part  crimson  ;  and  he  is  for  the  most 
part  very  much  like  an  eagle  in  outline  and  bulk." 

The  first  writer  who  disclaimed  a  belief  in  the  existence 
of  the  Phoenix,  was  Sir  Thomas  Browne,  in  his  "  Vulgar 
Errors,"  published  in  1646.  He  was  replied  to  a  few 
years  later  by  Alexander  Ross,  who  says,  in  answer  to  the 
objection  of  the  Phoenix  so  seldom  making  his  appear- 
ance, "  His  instinct  teaches  him  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of 
the  tyrant  of  the  creation,  man,  for  if  he  were  to  be  got 
at,  some  wealthy  glutton  would  surely  devour  him,  though 
there  were  no  more  in  the  world." 

Dryden  in  one  of  his  early  poems  has  this  allusion  to 
the  Phoenix :  — 

•'  So  when  the  new-born  Phoenix  first  is  seen 
Her  feathered  subjects  all  adore  their  queen, 
And  while  she  makes  her  progress  through  the  East, 
From  every  grove  her  numerous  train's  increased ; 
Each  poet  of  the  air  her  glory  sings, 
And  round  him  the  pleased  audience  clap  their  wings." 

Milton,  in  Paradise  Lost,  Book  V.,  compares  the  angel 
Raphael  descending  to  earth  to  a  Phoenix  :  — 

"  Down  thither,  prone  in  flight 
He  speeds,  and  through  the  vast  ethereal  sky 
Sails  between  worlds  and  worlds,  with  steady  wing, 
Now  on  the  polar  winds,  then  with  quick  fan 
Winnows  the  buxom  air ;  till  within  soar 
Of  towering  eagles,  to  all  the  fowls  he  seems 
A  Phoenix,  gazed  by  all ;  as  that  sole  bird 
When,  to  enshrine  his  relics  in  the  sun's 
Bright  temple,  to  Egyptian  Thebes  he  flies." 


416  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


THE    COCKATRICE,    OR   BASILISK. 

This  animal  was  called  the  king  of  the  serpents.  In 
confirmation  of  his  royalty,  he  was  said  to  be  endowed 
with  a  crest,  or  comb  upon  the  head,  constituting  a  crown. 
He  was  supposed  to  be  produced  from  the  egg  of  a  cock 
hatched  under  toads  or  serpents.  There  were  several 
species  of  this  animal.  One  species  burned  up  whatever 
they  approached ;  a  second  were  a  kind  of  wandering 
Medusa's  heads,  and  their  look  caused  an  instant  horror 
which  was  immediately  followed  by  death.  In  Shak- 
speare's  play  of  Richard  the  Third,  Lady  Anne,  in  answer 
to  Richard's  compliment  on  her  eyes,  says,  "  Would  they 
were  basilisk's,  to  strike  thee  dead  ! " 

The  basilisks  were  called  kings  of  serpents  because  all 
other  serpents  and  snakes,  behaving  like  good  subjects, 
and  wisely  not  wishing  to  be  burned  up  or  sti'uck  dead, 
fled,  the  moment  they  heard  the  distant  hiss  of  their  king, 
although  they  might  be  in  full  feed  upon  the  most  delicious 
prey,  leaving  the  sole  enjoyment  of  the  banquet  to  the 
royal  monster. 

The  Roman  naturalist  Pliny  thus  describes  him.  "  He 
does  not  impel  his  body,  like  other  serpents,  by  a  multi- 
plied flexion,  but  advances  lofty  and  upright.  He  kills 
the  shrubs,  not  only  by  contact  but  by  breathing  on  them, 
and  splits  the  rocks,  such  power  of  evil  is  there  in  him." 
It  was  formerly  believed  that  if  killed  by  a  spear  from  on 
horseback  the  power  of  the  poison  conducted  through  the 
weapon  killed  not  only  the  rider,  but  the  horse  also.  To 
this  Lucan  alludes  in  these  lines  :  — 

"  What  though  the  Moor  the  basilisk  hath  slain, 
And  pinned  him  lifeless  to  the  sandy  plain, 


STOKIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  417 

Up  through  the  spear  the  subtle  venom  flies, 
The  hand  imbibes  it,  and  the  victor  dies." 

Such  a  prodigy  was  not  likely  to  be  passed  over  in  the 
legends  of  the  saints.  Accordingly  we  find  it  recorded 
that  a  certain  holy  man  going  to  a  fountain  in  the  desert 
suddenly  beheld  a  basilisk.  He  immediately  raised  his 
eyes  to  heaven,  and  with  a  pious  appeal  to  the  Deity,  laid 
the  monster  dead  at  his  feet. 

These  wonderful  powers  of  the  basilisk  are  attested  by 
a  host  of  learned  persons,  such  as  Galen,  Avicenna,  Scal- 
iger,  and  others.  Occasionally  one  would  demur  to  some 
part  of  the  tale  while  he  admitted  the  rest.  Jonston,  a 
learned  physician,  sagely  remarks,  "  I  would  scarcely  be- 
lieve that  it  kills  with  its  look,  for  who  could  have  seen  it 
and  lived  to  teU  the  story  ?  "  The  worthy  sage  was  not 
aware  that  those  who  went  to  hunt  the  basilisk  of  this  sort, 
took  with  them  a  mirror,  which  reflected  back  the  deadly 
glare  upon  its  author,  and  by  a  kind  of  poetical  justice 
slew  the  basilisk  with  his  own  weapon. 

But  what  was  to  attack  this  terrible  and  unapproacha- 
ble monster  ?  There  is  an  old  saying  that  "  every  thing 
has  its  enemy,"  —  and  the  cockatrice  quailed  before  the 
weasel.  The  basilisk  might  look  daggers,  the  weasel  cared 
not,  but  advanced  boldly  to  the  conflict.  When  bitten,  the 
weasel  retired  for  a  moment  to  eat  some  rue,  which  was 
the  only  plant  the  basilisks  could  not  wither,  returned  with 
renewed  strength  and  soundness  to  the  charge,  and  never 
left  the  enemy  till  he  was  stretched  dead  on  the  plain. 
The  monster,  too,  as  if  conscious  of  the  irregular  way  in 
which  he  came  into  the  world,  was  supposed  to  have  a 
great  antipathy  to  a  cock ;  and  well  he  might,  for  as  soon 
as  he  heard  the  cock  crow  he  expired. 


418  STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

The  basilisk  was  of  some  use  after  death.  Thus  wo 
read  that  its  carcass  was  suspended  in  the  temple  of  Apollo, 
and  in  private  houses,  as  a  sovereign  remedy  against  spi- 
ders, and  that  it  was  also  hung  up  in  the  temple  of  Diana, 
for  which  reason  no  swallow  ever  dared  enter  the  sacred 
place. 

The  reader  will,  we  apprehend,  by  this  time  have  had 
enough  of  absurdities,  but  still  we  can  imagine  his  anxiety 
to  know  what  a  cockatrice  was  like.  The  following  is 
from  Aldrovandus,  a  celebrated  naturalist  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  whose  work  on  natural  history,  in  thirteen  folio 
volumes,  contains  with  much  that  is  valuable  a  large  pro- 
portion of  fables  and  inutilities.  In  particular  he  is  so 
ample  on  the  subject  of  the  cock  and  the  bull,  that  from 
his  practice,  all  rambling,  gossiping  tales  of  doubtful  cred- 


The  Basilisk. 

ibility  are  called  cock  and  hull  stories.  The  above  print  is 
entitled  "  The  Basilisk  which  lives  in  the  Afi-ican  desert." 
It  will  be  seen  that 

"  What  seemed  its  head 
The  likeness  of  a  kingly  crown  had  on." 


A 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES.  419 

Shelley,  in  his  Ode  to  Naples,  full  of  the  enthusiasm 
excited  by  the  intelligence  of  the  proclamation  of  a  Con- 
stitutional Government  at  Naples,  in  1820,  thus  uses  an 
allusion  to  the  basilisk  :  — 

"  What  though  Cimmerian  anarchs  dare  blaspheme 
Freedom  and  thee  ?  a  new  Actajon's  error 
Shall  theirs  have  been,  —  devoured  by  their  ovim  hounds  ! 

Be  thou  like  the  imperial  basilisk, 
Killing  thy  foe  with  unapparent  wounds  ! 

Gaze  on  oppression,  till  at  that  dread  risk, 
Aghast  she  pass  from  the  earth's  disk. 
Fear  not,  but  gaze,  —  for  freemen  mightier  grow, 
And  slaves  more  feeble,  gazing  on  their  foe." 


THE  UNICORN. 

Pliny,  the  Roman  naturalist,  out  of  whose  account  of 
the  unicorn  most  of  the  modern  unicorns  have  been  de- 
scribed and  figured,  records  it  as  "  a  very  ferocious  beast, 
similar  in  the  rest  of  its  body  to  a  horse,  with  the  head  of 
a  deer,  the  feet  of  an  elephant,  the  tail  of  a  boar,  a  deep 
bellowing  voice,  and  a  single  black  horn,  two  cubits  in 
length,  standing  out  in  the  middle  of  its  forehead."  He 
adds  that  "  it  cannot  be  taken  alive ; "  and  some  such 
excuse  may  have  been  necessary  in  those  days  for  not  pro- 
ducing the  living  animal  upon  the  arena  of  the  amphi- 
theatre. 

The  unicorn  seems  to  have  been  a  sad  puzzle  to  the 
hunters,  who  hardly  knew  how  to  come  at  so  valuable  a 
piece  of  game.  Some  described  the  horn  as  movable  at 
the  will  of  the  animal,  a  kind  of  small  sword  in  short,  with 
which  no  hunter  who  was  not  exceedingly  cunning  in 
fence  could  have  a  chance.     Others  maintained  that  all 


4H9  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

the  animal's  strength  lay  in  its  horn,  and  that  when  hard 
pressed  in  pursuit,  it  would  throw  itself  from  the  pinna- 
cle of  the  highest  rocks  horn  foremost,  so  as  to  pitch  upon 
it,  and  then  quietly  march  off  not  a  whit  the  worse  for 
its  fall. 

But  it  seems  they  found  out  how  to  circumvent  the  poor 
unicorn  at  last.  They  discovered  that  it  was  a  great  lover 
of  purity  and  innocence,  so  they  took  the  field  with  a 
young  virgin,  who  was  placed  in  the  unsuspecting  admi- 
rer's way.  When  the  unicorn  spied  her,  he  approached 
with  all  reverence,  couched  beside  her,  and  laying  his 
head  in  her  lap,  fell  asleep.  The  treacherous  virgin  then 
gave  a  signal,  and  the  hunters  made  in  and  captured  the 
simple  beast. 

Modem  zoologists,  disgusted  as  they  well  may  be  with 
such  fables  as  these,  disbelieve  generally  the  existence  of 
the  unicorn.  Yet  there  are  animals  bearing  on  their  heads 
a  bony  protuberance  more  or  less  like  a  horn,  which  may 
have  given  rise  to  the  story.  The  rhinoceros  horn,  as  it 
is  called,  is  such  a  protuberance,  though  it  does  not  exceed 
a  few  inches  in  height,  and  is  far  from  agreeing  with  the 
descriptions  of  the  horn  of  the  unicorn.  The  nearest  ap- 
proach to  a  horn  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead  is  exhib- 
ited in  the  bony  protuberance  on  the  forehead  of  the 
giraffe ;  but  this  also  is  short  and  blunt,  and  is  not  the 
only  horn  of  the  animal,  but  a  third  horn,  standing  in  front 
of  the  two  others.  In  fine,  though  it  would  be  presump- 
tuous to  deny  the  existence  of  a  one-homed  quadruped 
other  than  the  rhinoceros,  it  may  be  safely  stated  that  the 
insertion  of  a  long  and  solid  horn  in  the  living  forehead 
of  a  horse-like  or  deer-like  animal,  is  as  near  an  impossi- 
bility as  any  thing  can  be. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  421 


THE   SALAMANDER. 

The  following  is  from  the  Life  of  Benvenuto  Cellini, 
an  Italian  artist  of  the  sixteenth  century,  written  by  him- 
self. "  When  I  was  about  five  years  of  age,  my  father, 
happening  to  be  in  a  little  room  in  which  they  had  been 
washing,  and  where  there  was  a  good  fire  of  oak  burning, 
looked  into  the  flames  and  saw  a  little  animal  resembling 
a  lizard,  which  could  live  in  the  hottest  part  of  that  ele- 
ment. Instantly  perceiving  what  it  was  he  called  for  my 
sister  and  me,  and  after  he  had  shown  us  the  creature,  he 
gave  me  a  box  on  the  ear.  I  fell  a  crying,  while  he,  sooth- 
ing me  with  caresses,  spoke  these  words  :  '  My  dear  child, 
I  do  not  give  you  that  blow  for  any  fault  you  have  com- 
mitted, but  that  you  may  recollect  that  the  little  creature 
you  see  in  the  fire  is  a  salamander ;  such  a  one  as  never 
was  beheld  before  to  my  knowledge.'  So  saying  he  em- 
braced me,  and  gave  me  some  money." 

It  seems  unreasonable  to  doubt  a  story  of  which  Signer 
Cellini  was  both  an  eye  and  ear  witness.  Add  to  which 
the  authority  of  numerous  sage  philosophers,  at  the  head 
of  whom  are  Aristotle  and  Pliny,  affirms  this  power  of 
the  salamander.  According  to  them,  the  animal  not  only 
resists  fire,  but  extinguishes  it,  and  when  he  sees  the  flame 
charges  it  as  an  enemy  which  he  well  knows  how  to  van- 
quish. 

That  the  skin  of  an  animal  which  could  resist  the  action 
of  fire  should  be  considered  proof  against  that  element,  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at.  We  accordingly  find  that  a  cloth 
made  of  the  skins  of  salamanders  (for  there  really  is  such 
an  animal,  a  kind  of  lizard)  was  incombustible,  and  very 
valuable  for  wrapping  up  such  articles  as  were  too  pre- 
36 


422  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

clous  to  be  intrusted  to  any  other  envelopes.  These  fire- 
proof cloths  were  actually  produced,  said  to  be  made  of 
salamander's  wool,  though  the  knowing  ones  detected  that 
the  substance  of  which  they  were  composed  was  Asbestos, 
a  mineral,  which  is  in  fine  filaments  capable  of  being  woven 
into  a  flexible  cloth. 

The  foundation  of  the  above  fables  is  supposed  to  be 
the  fact  that  the  salamander  really  does  secrete  from  the 
pores  of  his  body  a  milky  juice,  which  when  he  is  irritat- 
ed is  produced  in  considerable  quantity,  and  would  doubt- 
less, for  a  few  moments,  defend  the  body  from  fire.  Then 
it  is  a  hibernating  animal,  and  in  winter  retires  to  some 
hollow  tree  or  other  cavity,  where  it  coils  itself  up  and 
remains  in  a  torpid  state  till  the  spring  again  calls  it  forth. 
It  may  therefore  sometimes  be  carried  with  the  fuel  to  the 
fire,  and  wake  up  only  time  enough  to  put  forth  all  its  fac- 
ulties for  its  defence.  Its  viscous  juice  would  do  good 
service,  and  all  who  profess  to  have  seen  it,  acknowledge 
that  it  got  out  of  the  fire  as  fast  as  its  legs  could  carry  it ; 
indeed  too  fast  for  them  ever  to  make  prize  of  one,  except 
in  one  instance,  and  in  that  one,  the  animal's  feet  and  some 
parts  of  its  body  were  badly  burned. 

Dr.  Young,  in  the  Night  Thoughts,  with  more  quaint- 
ness  than  good  taste,  compares  the  sceptic  who  can  remain 
unmoved  in  the  contemplation  of  the  starry  heavens,  to  a 
salamander  unwarmed  in  the  fire  : 

"  An  undevout  astronomer  is  mad ! 

»  *  m 

"  O,  what  a  genius  must  inform  the  skies  ! 
And  is  Lorenzo's  salamander-heart 
Cold  and  untouched  amid  these  sacred  fires  ? " 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEUOES.  423 


CHAPTER    XXXYII. 

EASTERN  MYTHOLOGY  — ZOROASTER  — HINDU  MY- 
THOLOGY —  CASTES  —  BUDDHA  —  GRAND   LAMA. 

ZOROASTER. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  religion  of  the  ancient  Persians 
is  principally  derived  from  the  Zendavesta,  or  sacred  books 
of  that  people.  Zoroaster  was  the  founder  of  tlieir  reli- 
gion, or  rather  the  reformer  of  the  religion  which  preceded 
him.  The  time  when  he  lived  is  doubtful,  but  it  is  certain 
that  his  system  became  the  dominant  religion  of  Western 
Asia  from  the  time  of  Cyrus  (550  B.  C.)  to  the  conquest 
of  Persia  by  Alexander  the  Great.  Under  the  Macedo- 
nian monarchy  the  doctrines  of  Zoroaster  appear  to  have 
been  considerably  corrupted  by  the  introduction  of  foreign 
opinions,  but  they  afterwards  recovered  their  ascendency. 

Zoroaster  taught  the  existence  of  a  supreme  being,  who 
created  two  other  miglity  beings  and  imparted  to  them  as 
much  of  his  own  nature  as  seemed  good  to  liim.  Of  these, 
Ormuzd  (called  by  the  Greeks  Oromasdes)  remained 
faithful  to  his  creator,  and  was  regarded  as  the  source  of 
all  good,  while  Ahriman  (Arimanes)  rebelled,  and  be- 
came the  author  of  all  evil  upon  the  earth.  Ormuzd 
created  man  and  supplied  him  with  all  the  materials  of 
happiness ;  but  Ahriman  marred  this  happiness  by  intro- 
ducing evil  into  the  world,  and  creating  savage  beasts  and 
poisonous  reptiles  and  plants.     In   consequence  of  this, 


424  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

evil  and  good  are  now  mingled  together  in  every  part  of 
the  world,  and  the  followers  of  good  and  evil  —  the  adher- 
ents of  Ormuzd  and  Ahriman  —  carry  on  incessant  war. 
But  this  state  of  things  will  not  last  forever.  The  time 
wiU  come  when  the  adherents  of  Ormuzd  shall  every 
where  be  victorious,  and  Ahriman  and  his  followers  be 
consigned  to  darkness  forever. 

The  religious  rites  of  the  ancient  Persians  were  ex- 
ceedingly simple.  They  used  neither  temples,  altars,  nor 
statues,  and  performed  their  sacrifices  on  the  tops  of 
mountains.  They  adored  fire,  light,  and  the  sun  as  em- 
blems of  Ormuzd,  the  source  of  all  light  and  purity,  but 
did  not  regard  them  as  independent  deities.  The  religious 
rites  and  ceremonies  were  regulated  by  the  priests,  who 
were  called  Magi.  The  learning  of  the  Magi  was  con- 
nected with  astrology  and  enchantment,  in  which  they 
were  so  celebrated  that  their  name  was  applied  to  all  or- 
ders of  magicians  and  enchanters. 

Wordsworth  thus  alludes  to  the  worship  of  the  Per- 
sians :  — 

" the  Persian,  — zealous  to  reject 

Altar  and  Image,  and  the  inclusive  walls 
And  roofs  of  temples  built  by  human  hands, — 
The  loftiest  heights  ascending,  from  their  tops, 
With  myrtle-wreathed  Tiara  on  his  brows, 
Presented  sacrifice  to  Moon  and  Stars, 
And  to  the  Winds  and  mother  Elements, 
And  the  whole  circle  of  the  Heavens,  for  him 
A  sensitive  existence  and  a  God." 

Excursion,  Book  IV. 

In  Childe  Harold,  Byron  speaks  thus  of  the  Persian 
worship:  — 

"Not  vainly  did  the  early  Persian  make 
His  altar  the  high  places  and  the  peak 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  425 

Of  earth-o'er-gazmg  mouTitains,  and  thus  take 
A  fit  and  unwalled  temple,  there  to  seek 
The  Sphit,  in  whose  honor  shrines  are  weak, 
Uprearcd  of  human  hands.     Come  and  compare 
Columns  and  idol-dwellings,  Goth  or  Greek, 
With  Nature's  realms  of  worship,  earth  and  air, 
Nor  fix  on  fond  abodes  to  circumscribe  thy  prayer." 

III.    91. 

The  religion  of  Zoroaster  continued  to  flourish  even 
after  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  and  in  the  third  cen- 
tury was  the  dominant  faith  of  the  East,  till  the  rise  of 
the  Mahometan  power  and  the  conquest  of  Persia  by 
the  Ai'abs  in  the  seventh  century,  who  compelled  the 
greater  number  of  the  Persians  to  renounce  their  ancient 
faith.  Those  who  refused  to  abandon  the  religion  of  their 
ancestors  fled  to  the  deserts  of  Kerman  and  to  Hindustan, 
■where  they  still  exist  under  the  name  of  Parsees,  a  name 
derived  from  Pars,  the  ancient  name  of  Persia.  The 
Arabs  call  them  Guebers,  from  an  Arabic  word  signifying 
unbelievers.  At  Bombay  the  Parsees  are  at  this  day  a 
very  active,  intelligent,  and  wealthy  class.  For  purity  of 
life,  honesty,  and  conciliatory  manners,  they  are  favorably 
distinguished.  They  have  numerous  temples  to  fire,  which 
they  adore  as  the  symbol  of  the  divinity. 

The  Persian  religion  makes  the  subject  of  the  finest  tale 
in  Moore's  Lalla  Rookh,  the  Fire  Worshippers.  The 
Gueber  chief  says,  — 

"  Yes  !  I  am  of  that  impious  race, 

Those  slaves  of  fire,  that  morn  and  even 
Hail  their  creator's  dwelling-place 

Among  the  living  lights  of  heaven ; 
Yes !  I  am  of  that  outcast  crew 
To  Iran  and  to  vengeance  true, 
Who  curse  the  hour  your  Arabs  came 
To  desecrate  our  shrines  of  flame, 
And  swear  before  God's  burning  eye, 
To  break  our  country's  chains  or  die." 
36* 


426 


STORIES    OP    GODS   AND   HEROES. 


Trimurti. 


HINDU  MYTHOLOGY. 


The  religion  of  the  Hindus  is  professedly  founded  on 
the  Vedas.  To  these  books  of  their  scripture  they  attach 
the  greatest  sanctity,  and  state  that  Brahma  himself  com- 
posed them  at  the  creation.  But  the  present  arrangement 
of  the  Vedas  is  attributed  to  the  sage  Vyasa,  about  five 
thousand  years  ago. 

The  Vedas  undoubtedly  teach  the  belief  of  one  supreme 
God.  The  name  of  this  deity  is  Brahma.  His  attributes 
are  represented  by  the  three  personified  powers  of  creor 
tion,  preservation,  and  destruction,  which  under  the  re- 
spective names  of  Brahma,  Vishnu,  and  Siva  form  the 
Trimurti  or  triad  of  principal  Hindu  gods.  Of  the  infe- 
rior gods  the  most  important  are,  1.  Indra,  the  god  of 
heaven,  of  thunder,  lightning,  storm,  and  rain ;  2.  Agni, 
the  god  of  fire ;  3.  Yama,  the  god  of  the  infernal  re- 
gions ;  4.  Surya,  the  god  of  the  sun. 

Brahma  is  the  creator  of  the  universe,  and  the  source 
from  which  all  the  individual  deities  have  sprung,  and  into 
which  all  will  ultimately  be  absorbed.    "  As  milk  changes 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  427 

to  curd,  and  water  to  ice,  so  is  Brahma  variously  trans- 
formed and  diversified,  without  aid  of  exterior  means  of 
any  sort."  The  liuman  soul,  according  to  the  Vedas,  is  a 
portion  of  the  supreme  ruler  as  a  spark  is  of  the  fire. 


VISHNU. 

Vishnu  occupies  the  second  place  in  the  triad  of  the 
Hindus,  and  is  the  personification  of  the  preserving  prin- 
ciple. To  protect  the  world  in  various  epochs  of  danger, 
Vishnu  descended  to  the  earth  in  different  incarnations,  or 
bodily  foi-ms,  which  descents  are  called  Avatars.  They 
are  very  numerous,  but  ten  are  more  particularly  speci- 
fied. The  first  Avatar  was  as  Matsya,  the  Fish,  under 
which  form  Vishnu  preserved  Manu,  the  ancestor  of  the 
human  race,  during  a  universal  deluge.  The  second 
Avatar  was  in  the  form  of  a  Tortoise,  which  form  he  as- 
sumed to  support  the  earth  when  the  gods  were  churning 
the  sea  for  the  beverage  of  immortality,  Amrita. 

We  may  omit  the  other  Avatars,  which  were  of  the 
same  general  character,  that  is,  interpositions  to  protect  the 
right  or  to  punish  wrong-doers,  and  come  to  the  ninth, 
whicli  is  the  most  celebrated  of  the  Avatars  of  Vishnu,  in 
which  he  appeared  in  the  human  form  of  Krishna,  an  in- 
vincible warrior,  who  by  his  exploits  relieved  the  earth 
from  the  tyrants  who  oppressed  it. 

Buddha  is  by  the  followers  of  the  Brahmanical  religion 
regarded  as  a  delusive  incarnation  of  Vishnu,  assumed  by 
him  in  order  to  induce  the  Asuras,  opponents  of  the  gods, 
to  abandon  the  sacred  ordinances  of  the  Vedas,  by  which 
means  they  lost  their  strength  and  supremacy. 

Kalki  is  the  name  of  the  tenth  Avatar,  in  which  Vishnu 


428  STORIES    OF    GODS    AXD    HEROES. 

will  appear  at  the  end  of  the  present  age  of  the  world  to 
destroy  all  vice  and  wickedness,  and  to  restore  mankind  to 
virtue  and  purity. 

SIVA. 

Siva  is  the  third  person  of  the  Hindu  triad.  He  is 
the  personification  of  the  destroying  principle.  Though 
the  third  name,  he  is,  in  respect  to  the  number  of  his  wor- 
shippers and  the  extension  of  his  worship,  before  either 
of  the  others.  In  the  Puranas  (the  scriptures  of  the  mod- 
ern Hindu  religion)  no  allusion  is  made  to  the  original 
power  of  this  god  as  a  destroyer ;  that  power  not  being  to 
be  called  into  exercise  till  after  the  expiration  of  twelve 
millions  of  years,  or  when  the  universe  will  come  to  an 
end ;  and  Mahadeva  (another  name  for  Siva)  is  rather 
the  representative  of  regeneration  than  of  destruction. 

The  worshippers  of  Vishnu  and  Siva  form  two  sects, 
each  of  which  proclaims  the  superiority  of  its  favorite 
deity,  denying  the  claims  of  the  other,  and  Brahma,  the 
creator,  having  finished  his  work,  seems  to  be  regarded  as 
no  longer  active,  and  has  now  only  one  temple  in  India, 
while  Mahadeva  and  Vishnu  have  many.  The  worship- 
pers of  Vishnu  are  generally  distinguished  by  a  greater 
tenderness  for  life  and  consequent  abstinence  from  animal 
food,  and  a  worship  less  cruel  than  that  of  the  followers 
of  Siva. 

JUGGERNAUT. 

Whether  the  worshippers  of  Juggernaut  are  to  be  reck- 
oned among  the  followers  of  Vishnu  or  Siva,  our  authori- 


STORIKS    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  429 

ties  differ.  The  temple  stands  near  the  shore,  about  three 
hundred  miles  south-west  of  Calcutta.  The  idol  is  a 
cai*ved  block  of  wood,  with  a  hideous  face,  painted  black, 
and  a  distended  blood-red  mouth.  On  festival  days  the 
throne  of  the  image  is  placed  on  a  tower  sixty  feet  high, 
moving  on  wheels.  Six  long  ropes  are  attached  to  the 
tower,  by  which  the  people  di-aw  it  along.  The  priests 
and  their  attendants  stand  round  the  throne  on  the  tower, 
and  occasionally  turn  to  the  worshippers  with  songs  and 
gestui'es.  While  the  tower  moves  along  numbers  of  the 
devout  worshippers  throw  themselves  on  the  gi'ound,  in 
order  to  be  crushed  by  the  wheels,  and  the  multitude  shout 
in  approbation  of  the  act,  as  a  pleasing  sacrifice  to  the 
idol.  Every  year,  particularly  at  two  great  festivals  in 
March  and  July,  pilgrims  flock  in  crowds  to  the  temple. 
Not  less  than  seventy  or  eighty  thousand  people  are  said 
to  visit  the  place  on  these  occasions,  when  all  castes  eat 
together. 

CASTES. 

The  division  of  the  Hindus  into  classes  or  castes,  with 
fixed  occupations,  existed  from  the  earliest  times.  It  is 
supposed  by  some  to  have  been  founded  upon  conquest, 
the  first  three  castes  being  composed  of  a  foreign  race, 
who  subdued  the  natives  of  the  country  and  reduced  them 
to  an  inferior  caste.  Others  trace  it  to  the  fondness  of 
perpetuating,  by  descent  from  father  to  son,  certain  offices 
or  occupations. 

The  Hindu  tradition  gives  the  following  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  various  castes.  At  the  creation  Brahma 
resolved  to  give  the  earth  inhabitants  who  should  be  direct 
emanations   from  his  own  body.     Accordingly  from  his 


430  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

mouth  came  forth  the  eldest  born,  Brahma,  (the  priest,)  to 
whom  he  confided  the  four  Vedas ;  from  his  right  arm 
issued  Shatriya,  (the  warrior,)  and  from  his  left,  the  war- 
rior's wife.  His  thighs  produced  Vaissyas,  male  and  fe- 
male, (agriculturists  and  traders,)  and  lastly  from  his  feet 
sprang  Sudras,  (mechanics  and  laborers.) 

The  four  sons  of  Brahma,  so  significantly  brought  into 
the  world,  became  the  fathers  of  the  human  race,  and 
heads  of  their  respective  castes.  They  were  commanded 
to  regai'd  the  four  Vedas  as  containing  all  the  rules  of 
their  faith,  and  all  that  was  necessary  to  guide  them  in 
their  rehgious  ceremonies.  They  were  also  commanded 
to  take  rank  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  the  Brahmans 
uppermost,  as  having  sprung  from  the  head  of  Brahma. 

A  strong  line  of  demai'cation  is  drawn  between  the  first 
three  castes  and  the  Sudras.  Tiie  former  are  allowed  to 
receive  instruction  from  the  Vedas,  which  is  not  permitted 
to  the  Sudras.  The  Bralimans  possess  the  privilege  of 
teaching  the  Vedas,  and  were  in  former  times  in  exclusive 
possession  of  all  knowledge.  Though  the  sovereign  of  the 
country  was  chosen  from  the  Shatriya  class,  also  called  Raj- 
puts, the  Brahmans  possessed  the  real  power,  and  were 
the  royal  counsellors,  the  judges  and  magistrates  of  the 
country ;  their  persons  and  property  were  inviolable  ;  and 
though  they  committed  the  greatest  crimes,  they  could 
only  be  banished  from  the  kingdom.  They  were  to  be 
treated  by  sovereigns  with  the  greatest  respect,  for  "  a 
Brahman,  whether  learned  or  ignorant,  is  a  powerful 
divinity." 

When  the  Brahman  arrives  at  years  of  maturity  it  be- 
comes his  duty  to  marry.  He  ought  to  be  supported  by 
the  contributions  of  the  rich,  and  not  to  be  obliged  to  gain 
his  subsistence  by  any  laborious  or  productive  occupation. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  431 

But  as  all  the  Brahmans  could  not  be  maintained  by  the 
working  classes  of  the  community,  it  was  found  necessary 
to  allow  them  to  engage  in  productive  employments. 

We  need  say  little  of  the  two  intermediate  classes, 
whose  rank  and  privileges  may  be  readily  inferred  from 
their  occupations.  The  Sudras  or  fourth  class  are  bound 
to  servile  attendance  on  the  higher  classes,  especially  the 
Brahmans,  but  they  may  follow  mechanical  occupations 
and  practical  arts,  as  painting  and  writing,  or  become  tra- 
ders or  husbandmen.  Consequently  they  sometimes  grow 
rich,  and  it  will  also  sometimes  happen  that  Brahmans 
become  poor.  That  fact  works  its  usual  consequence,  and 
rich  Sudras  sometimes  employ  poor  Brahmans  in  menial 
occupations. 

There  is  another  class  lower  even  than  the  Sudras,  for 
it  is  not  one  of  the  original  pure  classes,  but  springs  from 
an  unauthorized  union  of  individuals  of  different  castes. 
These  are  the  Pariahs,  who  are  employed  in  the  lowest 
services  and  treated  with  the  utmost  severity.  They  are 
compelled  to  do  what  no  one  else  can  do  without  pollution. 
They  are  not  only  considered  unclean  themselves,  but  they 
render  unclean  every  thing  they  touch.  They  are  de- 
prived of  all  civil  rights,  and  stigmatized  by  particular 
laws,  regulating  their  mode  of  life,  their  houses  and  their 
furniture.  They  are  not  allowed  to  visit  the  pagodas  or 
temples  of  the  other  castes,  but  have  their  own  pagodas 
and  religious  exercises.  They  are  not  suffered  to  enter 
the  houses  of  the  other  castes ;  if  it  is  done  incautiously 
or  from  necessity,  the  place  must  be  purified  by  religious 
ceremonies.  They  must  not  appear  at  public  markets, 
and  are  confined  to  the  use  of  particular  wells,  which  they 
are  obliged  to  surround  with  bones  of  animals,  to  warn 
others  against  using  them.      They   dwell   in   miserable 


432  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

hovels,  distant  from  cities  and  villages,  and  are  under  no 
restrictions  in  regard  to  food,  which  last  is  not  a  privilege, 
but  a  mark  of  ignominy,  as  if  they  were  so  degraded  that 
nothing  could  pollute  them.  The  three  higher  castes  are 
prohibited  entirely  the  use  of  flesh.  The  fourth  is  allowed 
to  eat  all  kinds  except  beef,  but  only  the  lowest  caste  is 
allowed  every  kind  of  food  without  restriction. 


BUDDHA. 

Buddha,  whom  the  Vedas  represent  as  a  delusive  incar- 
nation of  Vishnu,  is  said  by  his  followers  to  have  been  a 
mortal  sage,  whose  name  was  Gautama,  called  also  by  the 
complimentary  epithets  of  Sakyasinha,  the  Lion,  and 
Buddha,  the  Sage. 

By  a  comparison  of  the  various  epochs  assigned  to  his 
birth,  it  is  inferred  that  he  lived  about  one  thousand  years 
before  Christ. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  king ;  and  when  in  conformity  to 
the  usage  of  the  country  he  was,  a  few  days  after  his  birth, 
presented  before  the  altar  of  a  deity,  the  image  is  said  to 
have  inclined  its  head,  as  a  presage  of  the  future  great- 
ness of  the  new-born  prophet.  The  child  soon  developed 
faculties  of  the  first  order,  and  became  equally  distin- 
guished by  the  uncommon  beauty  of  his  person.  No 
sooner  had  he  grown  to  years  of  maturity  than  he  began 
to  reflect  deeply  on  the  depravity  and  misery  of  mankind, 
and  he  conceived  the  idea  of  retii'ing  from  society  and 
devoting  himself  to  meditation.  His  father  in  vain  op- 
posed this  design.  Buddha  escaped  the  vigilance  of  his 
guards,  and  having  found  a  secure  retreat,  lived  for  six 
years  undisturbed  in  his  devout  contemplations.     At  the 


STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  438 

expiration  of  that  period  he  came  forward  at  Benares  as  a 
religious  teacher.  At  first  some  who  heard  him  doubted 
of  the  soundness  of  his  mind ;  but  liis  doctrines  soon 
gained  credit,  and  were  propagated  so  rapidly  that  Buddha 
himself  lived  to  see  them  spread  all  over  India.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 

The  Buddhists  reject  entii-ely  the  authority  of  the  Vedas, 
and  the  religious  observances  prescribed  in  them  and  kept 
by  the  Hindus.  They  also  reject  the  distinction  of  castes, 
and  prohibit  all  bloody  sacrifices,  and  allow  animal  food. 
Their  priests  are  chosen  from  all  classes ;  they  are  ex- 
pected to  procure  their  maintenance  by  perambulation  and 
begging,  and  among  other  things  it  is  their  duty  to  en- 
deavor to  turn  to  some  use  things  thrown  aside  as  useless 
by  others,  and  to  discover  the  medicinal  power  of  plants. 
But  in  Ceylon  three  orders  of  priests  are  recognized; 
those  of  the  highest  order  are  usually  men  of  high  birth 
and  learning,  and  are  supported  at  the  principal  temples, 
most  of  which  have  been  richly  endowed  by  the  former 
monarchs  of  the  country. 

For  several  centuries  after  the  appearance  of  Buddha, 
his  sect  seems  to  have  been  tolerated  by  the  Brahmans, 
and  Buddhism  appears  to  have  penetrated  the  peninsula 
of  Hindustan  in  every  direction,  and  to  have  been  carried 
to  Ceylon,  and  to  the  eastern  peninsula.  But  afterwards 
it  had  to  endure  in  India  a  long  continued  persecution, 
which  ultimately  had  the  effect  of  entirely  abolishing  it,  in 
the  country  where  it  had  originated,  but  to  scatter  it  widely 
over  adjacent  countries.  Buddhism  appears  to  have  been 
introduced  into  China  about  the  year  G5  of  our  era. 
From  China  it  was  subsequently  extended  to  Corca, 
Japan,  and  Java. 
37 


434  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND   HEROES. 


THE  GRAND  LAMA. 

It  is  a  doctrine  alike  of  the  Braliminical  Hindus  and 
of  the  Buddhist  sect  that  the  confinement  of  the  human 
soul,  an  emanation  of  the  divine  spirit,  in  a  human  body, 
is  a  state  of  misery,  and  the  consequence  of  frailties  and 
sins  committed  during  former  existences.  But  they  hold 
that  some  few  individuals  have  appeared  on  this  earth 
from  time  to  time,  not  under  the  necessity  of  terrestrial 
existence,  but  who  voluntarily  descended  to  tbe  earth  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  mankind.  These  individuals  have 
gradually  assumed  the  character  of  reappearances  of 
Buddha  himself,  in  which  capacity  the  line  is  continued 
till  the  present  day,  in  the  several  Lamas  of  Thibet,  Chi- 
na, and  other  countries  where  Buddhism  prevails.  In 
consequence  of  the  victories  of  Gengis  Khan  and  his  suc- 
cessors, the  Lama  residing  in  Thibet  was  raised  to  the 
dignity  of  chief  pontiff  of  the  sect.  A  separate  province 
was  assigned  to  him  as  his  own  territory,  and  besides  his 
gpiritual  dignity  he  became  to  a  limited  extent  a  temporal 
monarch.     He  is  styled  the  Dalai  Lama. 

The  first  Christian  missionaries  who  proceeded  to  Thi- 
bet were  surprised  to  find  there  in  the  heart  of  Asia  a 
pontifical  court  and  several  other  ecclesiastical  institutions 
resembling  those  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  They 
found  convents  for  priests  and  nuns ;  also,  processions  and 
forms  of  rehgious  worship,  attended  with  much  pomp  and 
splendor;  and  many  were  induced  by  these  similarities 
to  consider  Lamaism  as  a  sort  of  degenerated  Christianity. 
It  is  not  improbable  that  the  Lamas  derived  some  of  these 
practices  from  the  Nestorian  Christians,  who  were  settled 
in  Tartary  when  Buddhism  was  introduced  into  Thibet. 


8TORIKS    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  435 


PBESTER  JOHN. 

An  early  account,  communicated  probably  by  travelling 
merchants,  of  a  Lama  or  spiritual  chief  among  the  Tar- 
tars, seems  to  have  occasioned  in  Europe  the  report  of  a 
Presbyter  or  Prester  John,  a  Christian  pontiff,  resident  iu 
Upper  Asia.  The  Pope  sent  a  mission  in  search  of  him, 
as  did  also  Louis  IX.  of  France,  some  years  later,  but 
both  missions  were  unsuccessful,  though  the  small  commu- 
nities of  Nestorian  Christians,  which  they  did  find,  served 
to  keep  up  the  belief  in  Europe  that  such  a  personage  did 
exist  somewhere  in  the  East.  At  last  in  the  fifteenth 
century,  a  Portuguese  traveller,  Pedro  Covilham,  happen- 
ing to  hear  that  there  was  a  Christian  prince  in  the  coun- 
try of  the  Abessines,  (Abyssinia,)  not  far  from  the  Red 
Sea,  concluded  that  this  must  be  the  true  Prester  John. 
He  accordingly  went  thither,  and  penetrated  to  the  court 
of  the  king,  whom  he  calls  Negus.  Milton  alludes  to  him 
in  Paradise  Lost,  Book  XL,  where,  describing  Adam's 
vision  of  his  descendants  in  their  various  nations  and 
cities,  scattered  over  the  face  of  the  earth,  he  says,  — 

" Nor  did  his  eyes  not  ken 

Th'  empire  of  Negus,  to  his  utmost  port, 
Ercoco,  and  the  less  maritime  kings, 
Mombaza  and  Quiloa  and  Melind." 


436 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES. 


Odin. 


CHAPTER     XXXVIII. 

NORTHERN    MYTHOLOGY  — VALHALLA  — THE  VAL- 
KYRIOR. 

NOETHERN  MYTHOLOGY. 


The  stories  which  have  engaged  our  attention  thus  far 
relate  to  the  mythology  of  southern  regions.  But  there 
is  another  branch  of  ancient  superstitions  wliich  ought  not 
to  be  entirely  overlooked,  especially  as  it  belongs  to  the 
nations  from  which  we,  through  our  English  ancestors,  de- 
rive our  origin.     It  is  that  of  the  northern  nations  called 


STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES.  437 

Scandinavians,  who  inhabited  the  countries  now  known  as 
Sweden,  Denmark,  Norway,  and  Iceland.  These  mytho- 
logical records  ai'e  contained  in  two  collections  called  the 
Eddas,  of  which  the  oldest  is  in  poetry  and  dates  back  to 
the  year  1056,  the  more  modern  or  prose  Edda  being  of 
the  date  of  1640. 

According  to  the  Eddas  there  was  once  no  heaven  above 
nor  earth  beneath,  but  only  a  bottomless  deep,  and  a  world 
of  mist  in  which  flowed  a  fountain.  Twelve  I'ivers  issued 
from  this  fountain,  and  when  they  had  flowed  far  from 
their  source,  they  froze  into  ice,  and  one  layer  accumulat- 
ing over  another,  the  great  deep  was  filled  up. 

Southward  from  the  world  of  mist  was  the  world  of 
liglit.  From  this  flowed  a  warm  wind  upon  the  ice  and 
melted  it.  The  vapors  rose  in  the  air  and  formed  clouds, 
from  which  sprang  Ymir,  the  Frost  giant  and  his  progeny, 
and  the  cow  Audhumbla,  whose  milk  afibrded  nourishment 
and  food  to  the  giant.  The  cow  got  nourishment  by  lick- 
ing the  hoar  frost  and  salt  from  the  ice.  While  she  was 
one  day  licking  the  salt  stones  there  appeared  at  first  the 
hair  of  a  man,  on  the  second  day  the  whole  head,  and  on 
the  third  the  entire  form  endowed  with  beauty,  agility,  and 
power.  This  new  being  was  a  god,  from  whom  and  his 
wife,  a  daughter  of  the  giant  race,  sprang  the  three  broth- 
ers Odin,  Vili,  and  Ve.  They  slew  the  giant  Ymir,  and 
out  of  his  body  formed  the  earth,  of  his  blood  the  seas,  of 
his  bones  the  mountains,  of  his  hair  the  trees,  of  his  skull 
the  heavens,  and  of  his  brain  clouds,  charged  with  hail 
and  snow.  Of  Ymir's  eyebrows  the  gods  formed  Midgard, 
(mid  earth,)  destined  to  become  the  abode  of  man. 

Odin  then  regulated  the  periods  of  day  and  night  and 
the  seasons  by  placing  in  the  heavens  the  sun  and  moon, 
and  appointing  to  them  their  respective  courses.  As  soon 
37* 


438  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    nEROES. 

as  the  sun  began  to  shed  its  rays  upon  the  eartli,  it  caused 
the  vegetable  world  to  bud  and  sprout.  Shortly  after  the 
gods  had  created  the  world  they  walked  by  the  side  of  the 
sea,  pleased  with  their  new  work,  but  found  that  it  was 
still  incomplete,  for  it  was  without  human  beings.  They 
therefore  took  an  ash  tree  and  made  a  man  out  of  it,  and 
they  made  a  woman  out  of  an  alder,  and  called  the  man 
Aske  and  the  woman  Embla.  Odin  then  gave  them  life 
and  soul,  Vili  reason  and  motion,  and  Ve  bestowed  upon 
them  the  senses,  expressive  features,  and  speech.  Mid- 
gard  was  then  given  them  as  their  residence,  and  they  be- 
came the  progenitors  of  the  human  race. 

The  mighty  ash  tree  Ygdrasill  was  supposed  to  support 
the  whole  universe.  It  sprang  from  the  body  of  Ymir, 
and  had  three  immense  roots,  extending  one  into  Asgard, 
(the  dwelling  of  the  gods,)  the  other  into  Jotunheim,  (the 
abode  of  the  giants,)  and  the  third  to  Niffleheim,  (the  re- 
gions of  darkness  and  cold.)  By  the  side  of  each  of  these 
roots  is  a  spring,  from  which  it  is  watered.  The  root  that 
extends  into  Asgard  is  carefully  tended  by  the  three  Norns, 
goddesses,  who  are  regarded  as  the  dispensers  of  fate. 
They  are  Urdur,  (the  past,)  Verdandi,  (the  present,)  Skuld, 
(the  future.)  The  spring  at  the  Jotunheim  side  is  Ymir's 
well,  in  which  wisdom  and  wit  lie  hidden,  but  that  of  Nif- 
fleheim feeds  the  adder,  Nidhogge,  (darkness,)  which  per- 
petually gnaws  at  the  root.  Four  harts  run  across  the 
branches  of  the  tree  and  bite  the  buds ;  they  represent 
the  four  winds.  Under  the  tree  lies  Ymir,  and  when  he 
tries  to  shake  off  its  weight  the  earth  quakes. 

Asgard  is  the  name  of  the  abode  of  the  gods,  access  to 
which  is  only  gained  by  crossing  the  bridge,  Bifrost,  (the 
rainbow.)  Asgard  consists  of  golden  and  silver  palaces,  the 
dwellings  of  the  gods,  but  the  most  beautiful  of  these  is  Val- 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES.  439 

halla,  the  residence  of  Odin.  When  seated  on  his  throne 
he  overlooks  all  heaven  and  earth.  Upon  his  shoulders  are 
the  ravens  Ilugin  and  Munin,  who  fly  every  day  over  the 
whole  woi'ld,  and  on  their  return  report  to  him  all  they 
have  seen  and  heard.  At  his  feet  lie  his  two  wolves, 
Geri  and  Freki,  to  whom  Odin  gives  all  the  meat  that  is 
set  before  him,  for  he  himself  stands  in  no  need  of  food. 
Mead  is  for  him  both  food  and  drink.  He  invented  the 
Runic  characters,  and  it  is  the  business  of  the  Noms  to 
engrave  the  runes  of  fate  upon  a  metal  shield.  From 
Odin's  name,  spelt  "Woden,  as  it  sometimes  is,  came 
Wednesday,  the  name  of  the  fourth  day  of  the  week. 

Odin  is  frequently  called  Alfadur,  (All-father,)  but  this 
name  is  sometimes  used  in  a  way  that  shows  that  the 
Scandinavians  had  an  idea  of  a  deity  superior  to  Odin, 
uncreated  and  eternal. 


OF  THE  JOYS  OP  VALHALLA. 

Valhalla  is  the  great  hall  of  Odin,  wherein  he  feasts, 
with  his  chosen  heroes,  all  those  who  have  fallen  bravely 
in  battle,  for  all  who  die  a  peaceful  death  are  excluded. 
The  flesh  of  the  boar  Schrimnir  is  served  up  to  them, 
and  is  abundant  for  all.  For  although  this  boar  is  cooked 
every  morning,  he  becomes  whole  again  every  night.  For 
drink  the  heroes  are  supplied  abundantly  with  mead  from 
the  she-goat  Heidrun.  When  the  heroes  are  not  feasting 
they  amuse  themselves  with  fighting.  Every  day  they 
ride  out  into  the  court  or  field  and  fight  until  they  cut 
each  other  in  pieces.  This  is  their  pastime ;  but  when 
meal  time  comes,  they  recover  from  their  wounds  and  re- 
turn to  feast  in  Valhalla. 


440  STORIES    OP    GODS   AND    HEROES. 


THE   VALKYRIOR. 

The  Valkyrior  are  warlike  virgins,  mounted  upon  horses 
and  armed  with  helmets,  shields,  and  spears.  Odin,  who 
is  desirous  to  collect  a  great  many  heroes  in  Valhalla,  to 
be  able  to  meet  the  giants  in  a  day  when  the  final  contest 
must  come,  sends  down  to  every  battle-field  to  make  choice 
of  those  who  shall  be  slain.  The  Valkyrior  are  his  mes- 
sengers, and  their  name  means  "  Choosers  of  the  slain." 
"When  they  ride  forth  on  their  errand,  their  armor  sheds  a 
strange  flickering  light,  which  flashes  up  over  the  northern 
skies,  making  what  men  call  the  "Aurora  Borealis,"  or 
«  Northern  Lights."  » 


OP  THOB   AND  THE   OTHER  GODS. 

Thor,  the  thunderer,  Odin's  eldest  son,  is  the  strongest 
of  gods  and  men,  and  possesses  three  very  precious  things. 
The  first  is  a  hammer,  which  both  the  Frost  and  the  Moun- 
tain giants  know  to  their  cost,  when  they  see  it  hurled 
against  them  in  the  air,  for  it  has  split  many  a  skull  of 
their  fathers  and  kindred.  When  thrown,  it  returns  to 
his  hand  of  its  own  accord.  The  second  rare  thing  he 
possesses  is  called  the  belt  of  strength.  "When  he  girds  it 
about  him  his  divine  might  is  doubled.  The  third,  also 
very  precious,  is  his  iron  gloves,  which  he  puts  on  when- 
ever he  would  use  his  mallet  efficiently.  From  Thor's 
name  is  derived  our  word  Thursday. 

Frey  is  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of  the  gods.    He  pre- 

♦  Gray's  ode,  The  Fatal  Sisters,  is  founded  on  this  superstition. 


STOKIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES.  441 

sides  over  rain  and  sunshine  and  all  the  fruits  of  the  earth. 
His  sister  Freya  is  the  most  propitious  of  the  goddesses. 
She  loves  music,  spring,  and  flowers,  and  is  particularly 
fond  of  the  Elves,  (fairies.)  She  is  very  fond  of  love 
ditties,  and  all  lovers  would  do  well  to  invoke  her. 

Bragi  is  the  god  of  poetry,  and  his  song  records  the 
deeds  of  warriors.  His  wife,  Iduna,  keeps  in  a  box  the 
apples  which  the  gods,  when  they  feel  old  age  approach- 
ing, have  only  to  taste  of  to  become  young  again. 

Heimdall  is  the  watchman  of  the  gods,  and  is  therefore 
placed  on  the  borders  of  heaven  to  prevent  the  giants 
from  forcing  their  way  over  the  bridge  Bifrost  (the  rain- 
bow.) He  requires  less  sleep  than  a  bird,  and  sees  by 
night  as  well  as  by  day  a  hundred  miles  around  him.  So 
^cute  is  his  ear  that  no  sound  escapes  him,  for  he  can  even 
hear  the  grass  grow  and  the  wool  on  a  sheep's  back. 


OF  LOKI  AND   HIS  PROGENY. 

There  is  another  deity  who  is  described  as  the  calumni- 
ator of  the  gods  and  the  contriver  of  all  fraud  and  mis- 
chief. His  name  is  Loki.  He  is  handsome  and  well 
made,  but  of  a  very  fickle  mood  and  most  evil  disposition. 
He  is  of  the  giant  race,  but  forced  himself  into  the  com- 
pany of  the  gods,  and  seems  to  take  pleasure  in  bringing 
them  into  difficulties,  and  in  extricating  them  out  of-  the 
danger  by  his  cunning,  wit,  and  skill.  Loki  has  three 
children.  The  first  is  the  wolf  Fenris,  the  second  the 
Midgard  serpent,  the  third  Hela,  (Death.)  The  gods 
were  not  ignorant  that  these  monsters  were  growing  up, 
and  that  they  would  one  day  bring  much  evil  upon  gods 
and  men.     So  Odin  deemed  it  advisable  to  send  one  to 


442  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

bring  them  to  him.  When  they  came  he  threw  the  ser- 
pent into  that  deep  ocean  by  which  the  eai'th  is  surround- 
ed. But  the  monster  has  grown  to  such  an  enormous  size 
that  holding  his  tail  in  his  mouth  he  encircles  the  whole 
earth.  Hela  he  cast  into  Niffleheim,  and  gave  her  power 
over  nine  worlds  or  regions,  into  which  she  distributes 
those  who  are  sent  to  her ;  that  is,  all  who  die  of  sickness 
or  old  age.  Her  hall  is  called  Elvidnir.  Hunger  is  her 
table.  Starvation  her  knife.  Delay  her  man.  Slowness  her 
maid,  Precipice  her  threshold,  Care  her  bed,  and  Burning- 
anguish  forms  the  hangings  of  her  apartments.  She  may 
easily  be  recognized,  for  her  body  is  half  flesh  color  and 
half  blue,  and  she  has  a  dreadfully  stern  and  forbidding 
countenance. 

The  wolf  Fenris  gave  the  gods  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
before  they  succeeded  in  chaining  him.  He  broke  the 
strongest  fetters  as  if  they  were  made  of  cobwebs.  Final- 
ly the  gods  sent  a  messenger  to  the  mountain  spirits,  who 
made  for  them  the  chain  called  Gleipnir.  It  is  fashioned 
of  six  things,  viz.,  the  noise  made  by  the  footfall  of  a  cat, 
the  beards  of  women,  the  roots  of  stones,  the  breath  of 
fishes,  the  nerves  (sensibilities)  of  bears,  and  the  spittle 
of  birds.  "When  finished  it  was  as  smooth  and  soft  as  a 
silken  string.  But  when  the  gods  asked  the  wolf  to  suf- 
fer himself  to  be  bound  with  this  apparently  slight  ribbon, 
he  suspected  their  design,  fearing  that  it  was  made  by  en- 
chantment. He  therefore  only  consented  to  be  bound 
with  it  upon  condition  that  one  of  the  gods  put  his  hand 
in  his  (Fenris's)  mouth  as  a  pledge  that  the  band  was  to 
be  removed  again.  Tyr  (the  god  of  battles)  alone  had 
courage  enough  to  do  this.  But  when  the  wolf  found 
that  he  could  not  break  his  fetters,  and  that  the  gods 
would  not  release  him,  he  bit  off  Tyr's  hand,  and  he  has 
ever  since  remained  one-handed. 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  443 


HOW  TIIOR  PAID   THE  MOUNTAIN   GIANT  HIS   WAGES. 

Once  on  a  time,  when  the  gods  were  constructing  their 
abodes  and  had  already  finished  Midgard  and  Valhalla,  a 
certain  artificer  came  and  offered  to  build  them  a  residence 
so  well  fortified  that  they  should  be  perfectly  safe  from  the 
incursions  of  the  Frost  giants  and  the  giants  of  the  moun- 
tains. But  he  demanded  for  his  reward  the  goddess 
Freya,  togej;her  with  the  sun  and  moon.  The  gods  yield- 
ed to  his  terms,  provided  he  would  finish  the  whole  work 
himself  without  any  one's  assistance,  and  all  within  the 
space  of  one  winter.  But  if  any  thing  remained  unfinished 
on  the  first  day  of  summer  he  should  forfeit  the  recom- 
pense agreed  on.  On  being  told  these  terms  the  artificer 
stipulated  that  he  should  be  allowed  the  use  of  his  horse 
Svadilfari,  and  this  by  the  advice  of  Loki  was  granted  to 
him.  He  accordingly  set  to  work  on  the  first  day  of  win- 
ter, and  during  the  night  let  his  horse  draw  stone  for  the 
building.  The  enormous  size  of  the  stones  struck  the 
gods  with  astonishment,  and  they  saw  clearly  that  the 
horse  did  one  half  more  of  the  toilsome  work  than  his 
master.  Their  bargain  however  had  been  concluded,  and 
confirmed  by  solemn  oaths,  for  without  these  precautions 
a  giant  would  not  have  thought  himself  safe  among  the 
gods,  especially  when  Thor  should  return  from  an  expe- 
dition he  had  then  undertaken  against  the  evil  demons. 

As  the  winter  drew  to  a  close,  the  building  was  far  ad- 
vanced, and  tlie  bulwarks  were  sufficiently  high  and  massive 
to  render  the  place  impregnable.  In  short  when  it  wanted 
but  three  days  to  summer  the  only  part  that  remained  to 
be  finished  was  the  gateway.  Then  sat  the  gods  on  their 
seats  of  justice  and  entered  into  consultation,  inquiring  of 


444  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    IIEUOES. 

one  another  who  among  them  could  have  advised  to  give 
Freya  away,  or  to  plunge  the  heavens  in  darkness  by  per- 
mitting the  giant  to  carry  away  the  sun  and  the  moon. 

They  all  agreed  that  no  one  but  Loki,  the  author  of  so 
many  evil  deeds,  could  liave  given  such  bad  counsel,  and 
that  he  should  be  put  to  a  cruel  death  if  he  did  not  con- 
trive some  way  to  prevent  the  artificer  from  completing 
his  task  and  obtaining  the  stipulated  recompense.  They 
proceeded  to  lay  hands  on  Loki,  who  in  his  fright  prom- 
ised upon  oath  that,  let  it  cost  him  what  it  would,  he  would 
so  manage  matters  that  the  man  should  lose  his  reward. 
That  very  night  when  the  man  went  with  Svadilfari  for 
building  stone,  a  mare  suddenly  ran  out  of  a  forest  and 
began  to  neigh.  The  horse  thereat  broke  loose  and  ran  after 
the  mare  into  the  forest,  which  obliged  the  man  also  to  run 
after  his  horse,  and  thus  between  one  and  another  the  whole 
night  was  lost,  so  that  at  dawn  the  work  had  not  made  the 
usual  progress.  The  man  seeing  that  he  must  fail  of  com- 
pleting his  task,  resumed  his  own  gigantic  stature,  and  the 
gods  now  clearly  perceived  that  it  was  in  reality  a  moun- 
tain giant  who  had  come  amongst  them.  Feeling  no  longer 
bound  by  their  oaths,  they  called  on  Thor,  who  immediately 
ran  to  their  assistance,  and  lifting  up  his  mallet,  paid  the 
workman  his  wages,  not  with  the  sun  and  moon,  and  not 
even  by  sending  him  back  to  Jotunheim,  for  with  the  first 
blow  he  shattered  the  giant's  skuU  to  pieces  and  hurled 
him  headlong  into  Niffleheim. 


THE  RECOVERY   OP  THE  HAMMER. 

Once  upon  a  time  it  happened  that  Thor's  hammer  fell 
into  the  possession  of  the  giant  Thrym,  Avho   buried   it 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  445 

eight  fathoms  deep  under  the  rocks  of  Jotunheim.  Thor 
sent  Loki  to  negotiate  witli  Thrjm,  but  he  could  only  pre- 
vail so  far  as  to  get  the  giant's  promise  to  restore  the 
weapon  if  Freya  would  consent  to  be  his  bride.  Loki  re- 
turned and  reported  the  result  of  his  mission,  but  the  god- 
dess of  love  was  quite  horrified  at  the  idea  of  bestowing 
her  charms  on  the  king  of  the  Frost  giants.  In  this 
emergency  Loki  persuaded  Thor  to  dress  himself  in 
Freya's  clothes  and  accompany  him  to  Jotunheim.  Thrym 
received  his  veiled  bride  with  due  courtesy,  but  was  greatly 
surprised  at  seeing  her  eat  for  her  supper  eight  salmons 
and  a  full  grown  ox  besides  other  delicacies,  washing  the 
whole  down  with  three  tuns  of  mead.  Loki  however  as- 
sured him  that  she  had  not  tasted  any  thing  for  eight  long 
nights,  so  great  was  her  desire  to  see  her  lover,  the  re- 
nowned ruler  of  Jotunheim.  Thrym  had  at  length  the 
curiosity  to  peep  under  his  bride's  veil,  but  started  back  in 
affright  and  demanded  why  Freya's  eyeballs  glistened  with 
fire.  Loki  repeated  the  same  excuse  and  the  giant  was 
satisfied.  He  ordered  the  hammer  to  be  brought  in  and 
laid  on  the  maiden's  lap.  Thereupon  Thor  threw  off  his 
disguise,  grasped  his  redoubted  weapon  and  slaughtered 
Thrym  and  all  his  followers. 

Frey  also  possessed  a  wonderful  weapon,  a  sword  which 
would  of  itself  spread  a  field  with  carnage  whenever  the 
owner  desired  it.  Frey  parted  with  this  sword,  but  was  less 
fortunate  than  Thor  and  never  recovered  it.  It  happened 
in  this  way :  Frey  once  mounted  Odin's  throne,  i'roxa 
whence  one  can  see  over  the  whole  universe,  and  looking 
round  saw  far  off  in  the  giant's  kingdom  a  beautiful  maid, 
at  the  sight  of  whom  he  was  struck  with  sudden  sadness, 
insomuch  that  from  that  moment  he  could  neither  sleep, 
nor   drink,  nor   speak.     At   last   Skirnir,  his  messenger, 

as 


446  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

drew  his  secret  from  him,  and  undertook  to  get  him  the 
maiden  for  his  bride,  if  he  would  give  him  his  sword  as  a 
reward.  Frey  consented  and  gave  him  the  sword,  and 
Skirnir  set  off  on  his  journey  and  obtained  the  maiden's 
promise  that  within  nine  nights  she  would  come  to  a  certain 
place  and  there  wed  Frey.  Skirnir  having  reported  the 
success  of  his  errand,  Frey  exclaimed,  — 

"  Long  is  one  night, 
Long  are  two  nights, 
But  how  shall  I  hold  out  three  ? 
Shorter  hath  seemed 
A  month  to  me  oft 
Than  of  this  longing  time  the  half." 

So  Frey  obtained  Gerda,  the  most  beautiful  of  all 
women,  for  his  wife,  but  he  lost  his  sword. 

This  story,  entitled  Skirnir  For,  and  the  one  imme- 
diately preceding  it,  Thrym's  Quida,  will  be  found  poet- 
ically told  in  Longfellow's  Poets  and  Poetry  of  Europe. 


d 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND   HEROES. 


447 


Thor. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 


THOR'S  VISIT  TO  JOTUNHEIM. 


THOR's   visit  to   JOTUNHEIM,  THE  GIANT's   COUNTRY. 


One  day  the  god  Thor,  with  his  servant  Thialfi,  and 
accompanied  by  Loki,  set  out  on  a  journey  to  the  giant's 
country.  Thialfi  was  of  all  men  the  swiftest  of  foot.  He 
bore  Thor's  wallet,  containing  their  provisions.  When 
night  came  on  they  found  themselves  in  an  immense  forest, 
and  searched  on  all  sides  for  a  place  where  they  might 
pass  the  night,  and  at  last  came  to  a  very  large  hall,  with 
an  entrance  that  took  the  whole  breadth  of  one  end  of  the 
building.     Here  they  lay  down  to  sleep,  but  towards  mid- 


'44& 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 


night  were  alarmed  by  an  earthquake  which  shook  the 
whole  edifice.  Thor  rising  up  called  on  his  companions 
to  seek  with  him  a  place  of  safety.  On  the  right  they 
found  an  adjoining  chamber,  into  which  the  others  entered, 
but  Thor  remained  at  the  doorway  with  his  mallet  in  his 
hand,  prepared  to  defend  liimself,  whatever  might  happen. 
A  terrible  groaning  was  heard  during  the  night,  and  at 
dawn  of  day  Thor  went  out  and  found  lying  near  him  a 
huge  giant,  who  slept  and  snored  in  the  way  that  had 
alarmed  them  so.  It  is  said  that  for  once  Thor  was  afraid 
to  use  his  mallet,  and  as  the  giant  soon  waked  up,  Thor 
contented  himself  with  simply  asking  his  name. 

"  My  name  is  Skrymir,"  said  the  giant,  "  but  I  need  not 
ask  thy  name,  for  I  know  that  thou  art  the  god  Thor.  But 
what  has  become  of  my  glove  ?  "  Thor  then  perceived 
that  what  they  had  taken  overnight  for  a  hall  was  the 
giant's  glove,  and  the  chamber  where  his  two  companions 
had  sought  refuge  was  the  thumb.  Skrymir  then  pro- 
posed that  they  should  travel  in  company,  and  Thor  con- 
senting, they  sat  down  to  eat  their  breakfast,  and  when 
they  had  done,  Skrymir  packed  all  the  provisions  into  one 
wallet,  threw  it  over  his  shoulder,  and  strode  on  before 
them,  taking  such  tremendous  strides  that  they  were  hard 
put  to  it  to  keep  up  with  him.  So  they  travelled  the 
whole  day,  and  at  dusk,  Skrymir  chose  a  place  for  them 
to  pass  the  night  in  under  a  large  oak  tree.  Skrymir  then 
told  them  he  would  lie  down  to  sleep.  "  But  take  ye  the 
wallet,"  he  added,  "  and  prepare  your  supper." 

Skrymir  soon  fell  asleep  and  began  to  snore  strongly; 
but  when  Thor  tried  to  open  the  wallet,  he  found  the  giant 
had  tied  it  up  so  tight  he  could  not  untie  a  single  knot. 
At  last  Thor  became  wroth,  and  grasping  his  mallet  with 
both  hands  he  struck  a  furious  blow  on  the  giant's  head. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  449 

Skrymir  awakening  merely  asked  whether  a  leaf  had  not 
fallen  on  his  head,  and  whether  they  had  supped  and  were 
ready  to  go  to  sleep.  Thor  answ-ered  that  they  were  just 
'going  to  sleep,  and  so  saying  went  and  laid  himself  down 
under  another  tree.  But  sleep  came  not  that  night  to 
Thor,  and  when  Skrymir  snored  again  so  loud  that  the 
forest  re-echoed  with  the  noise,  he  arose,  and  grasping  his 
mallet  launched  it  with  such  force  at  the  giant's  skull  that 
it  made  a  deep  dint  iif  it.  Skrymir  awakening  cried  out, 
"  What's  the  matter  ?  are  there  any  birds  perched  on  this 
tree  ?  I  felt  some  moss  from  the  branches  fall  on  my 
head.  How  fares  it  with  thee,  Thor  ?  "  But  Thor  went 
away  hastily,  saying  that  he  had  just  then  awoke,  and  that 
as  it  w^as  only  midnight,  there  was  still  time  for  sleep. 
He  however  resolved  that  if  he  had  an  opportunity  of 
striking  a  third  blow,  it  should  settle  all  matters  between 
them.  A  little  before  daybreak  he  perceived  that  Skry- 
mir was  again  fast  asleep,  and  again  grasping  his  mallet, 
he  dashed  it  with  such  violence  that  it  forced  its  way  into 
the  giant's  skull  up  to  the  handle.  But  Skrymir  sat  up, 
and  stroking  his  cheek  said,  "  An  acorn  fell  on  my  head. 
What !  Art  thou  awake,  Thor  ?  Methinks  it  is  time  for 
us  to  get  up  and  dress  ourselves  ;  but  you  have  not  now  a 
long  way  before  you  to  the  city  called  Utgard.  I  have 
heard  you  whispering  to  one  another  that  I  am  not  a  man 
of  small  dimensions  ;  but  if  you  come  to  Utgard  you  will 
see  there  many  men  much  taller  than  I.  Wherefore  I 
advise  you,  when  you  come  there,  not  to  make  too  much 
of  yourselves,  for  the  followers  of  Utgard-Loki  will  not 
brook  the  boasting  of  such  little  fellows  as  you  are.  You 
must  take  the  road  that  leads  eastward,  mine  lies  north- 
ward, so  we  must  part  here." 

Hereupon  he  threw  his  wallet  over  his  shoulders,  and 
38* 


450  STOKIES    OP    GODS    A.ND    IIKKOES. 

turned  away  from  them  into  the  forest,  and  Thor  had  no 
wish  to  stop  him  or  to  ask  for  any  more  of  his  company. 

Thor  and  his  companions  proceeded  on  their  way,  and 
towards  noon  descried  a  city  standing  in  the  middle  of  a 
plain.  It  was  so  lofty  that  they  were  obliged  to  bend  their 
necks  quite  back  on  their  shoulders  in  order  to  see  to  the 
top  of  it.  On  arriving  they  entered  the  city,  and  seeing 
a  large  palace  before  them  with  the  door  wide  open,  they 
went  in,  and  found  a  number  of  men  of  prodigious  stature, 
sitting  on  benches  in  the  hall.  Going  further,  they  came 
before  the  king  Utgard-Loki,  whom  they  saluted  with 
great  respect.  The  king,  regarding  them  Avith  a  scornful 
smile,  said,  "  If  I  do  not  mistake  me,  that  stripling  yonder 
must  be  the  god  Thor."  Then  addressing  himself  to  Thor, 
he  said,  "  Perhaps  thou  mayst  be  more  than  thou  appear- 
est  to  be.  What  are  the  feats  that  thou  and  thy  fellows 
deem  yourselves  skilled  in,  for  no  one  is  permitted  to  re- 
main here  who  does  not,  in  some  feat  or  other,  excel  all 
other  men  ?  " 

"  The  feat  that  I  know,"  said  Loki,  "  is  to  eat  quicker 
than  any  one  else,  and  in  this  I  am  ready  to  give  a  proof 
against  any  one  here  Avho  may  choose  to  compete  with  me." 

"  That  will  indeed  be  a  feat,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  "if  thou 
performest  what  thou  promisest,  and  it  shall  be  tried  forth- 
with." 

He  then  ordered  one  of  his  men  who  was  sitting  at  the 
farther  end  of  the  bench,  and  whose  name  was  Logi,  to 
come  forward  and  try  his  skill  with  Loki.  A  trough  filled 
with  meat  having  been  set  on  the  hall  floor,  Loki  placed 
himself  at  one  end,  and  Logi  at  the  other,  and  each  of 
them  began  to  eat  as  fast  as  he  could,  until  they  met  in 
the  middle  of  the  trough.  But  it  was  found  that  Loki  had 
only  eaten  the  flesh,  while  his  adversary  had  devoured 


I 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  451 

both  flesh  and  bone,  and  the  trough  to  boot.  All  the  com- 
pany therefore  adjudged  that  Loki  was  vanquished. 

Utgard-Loki  then  asked  what  feat  the  young  man  who 
accompanied  Thor  could  perform.  Thialfi  answered  that 
he  would  run  a  race  with  any  one  who  might  be  matched 
against  him.  The  king  observed  that  skill  in  running  was 
something  to  boast  of,  but  if  the  youth  would  win  the 
match  he  must  display  great  agility.  He  then  arose  and 
went  with  all  who  were  present  to  a  plain  where  there 
was  good  ground  for  running  on,  and  calling  a  young  man 
named  Hugi,  bade  him  run  a  match  with  Thialfi.  In  the 
first  course  Hugi  so  much  outstripped  his  competitor  that 
he  turned  back  and  met  him  not  far  from  the  starting 
place.  Then  they  ran  a  second  and  a  third  time,  but  Thi- 
alfi met  with  no  better  success. 

Utgard-Loki  then  asked  Thor  in  what  feats  he  would 
choose  to  give  proofs  of  that  prowess  for  which  he  was  so 
famous.  Thor  answered  that  he  would  try  a  drinking- 
match  with  any  one ;  Utgard-Loki  bade  his  cupbearer 
bring  the  large  horn  which  his  followers  were  obliged  to 
empty  when  they  had  trespassed  in  any  way  against  the 
law  of  the  feast.  The  cupbearer  having  presented  it  to 
Thor,  Utgard-Loki  said,  "  Whoever  is  a  good  drinker  will 
empty  that  horn  at  a  single  draught,  though  most  men 
make  two  of  it,  but  the  most  puny  drinker  can  do  it  in 
three." 

Thor  looked  at  the  horn,  which  seemed  of  no  extraor- 
dinary size  though  somewhat  long ;  however,  as  he  was 
veiy  thirsty,  he  set  it  to  his  lips,  and  without  drawing 
breath,  pulled  as  long  and  as  deeply  as  he  could,  that  he 
might  not  be  obliged  to  make  a  second  draught  of  it ;  but 
when  he  set  the  horn  down  and  looked  in,  he  could  scarce- 
ly perceive  that  the  liquor  was  diminished. 


452  STORIES    OF   GODS   AND    HEROES. 

After  taking  breath,  Thor  went  to  it  again  with  all  his 
might,  but  when  he  took  the  horn  from  his  mouth,  it 
seemed  to  him  that  he  had  drank  rather  less  than  before, 
although  the  horn  could  now  be  carried  without  spilling. 

"  How  now,  Thor,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  "  thou  must  not 
spare  thyself;  if  thou  meanest  to  drain  the  horn  at  the 
third  draught  thou  must  pull  deeply  ;  and  I  must  needs 
say  that  thou  wilt  not  be  called  so  mighty  a  man  here  as 
thou  art  at  home  if  thou  showest  no  greater  prowess  in 
other  feats  than  methinks  will  be  shown  in  this." 

Thor,  full  of  wrath,  again  set  the  horn  to  his  lips,  and 
did  his  best  to  empty  it ;  but  on  looking  in  found  the 
liquor  was  only  a  little  lower,  so  he  resolved  to  make  no 
further  attempt,  but  gave  back  the  horn  to  the  cupbearer. 

"I  now  see  plainly,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  "that  thou  art 
not  quite  so  stout  as  we  thought  thee ;  but  wilt  thou  try  any 
other  feat,  though  methinks  thou  art  not  likely  to  bear  any- 
prize  away  with  thee  hence." 

"  "What  new  trial  hast  thou  to  propose  ?  "  said  Thor. 

"  We  have  a  very  trifling  game  here,"  answered  Ut- 
gard-Loki, "  in  which  we  exercise  none  but  children.  It 
consists  in  merely  lifting  my  cat  from  the  ground ;  nor 
should  I  have  dared  to  mention  such  a  feat  to  the  great 
Thor  if  I  had  not  already  observed  that  thou  art  by  no 
means  what  we  took  thee  for." 

As  he  finished  speaking,  a  large  gray  cat  sprang  on  the 
hall  floor.  Thor  put  his  hand  under  the  cat's  belly  and 
did  his  utmost  to  raise  him  from  the  floor,  but  the  cat, 
bending  his  back,  had,  notwithstanding  all  Tlior's  efforts, 
only  one  of  his  feet  lifted  up,  seeing  which  Thor  made  no 
further  attempt. 

"  This  trial  has  turned  out,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  "just  as  I 
imagined  it  would.  The  cat  is  large,  but  Thor  is  little  in 
comparison  to  our  men." 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.'  453 

"  Little  as  ye  call  me,"  answered  Thor,  "  let  me  see  who 
among  you  will  come  hither  now  I  am  in  wrath  and  wres- 
tle with  me." 

"  I  see  no  one  here,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  looking  at  the 
men  sitting  on  the  benches,  "  who  would  not  think  it  be- 
neath him  to  wrestle  with  thee  ;  let  somebody,  however, 
call  hither  that  old  crone,  my  nurse  Elli,  and  let  Thor 
wrestle  with  her  if  he  will.  She  has  thrown  to  the  ground 
many  a  man  not  less  strong  than  this  Thor  is. 

A  toothless  old  woman  then  entered  the  hall,  and  was 
told  by  Utgard-Loki  to  take  hold  of  Thor.  The  tale  is 
shortly  told.  The  more  Thor  tightened  his  hold  on  the 
crone  the  firmer  she  stood.  At  length  after  a  very  vio- 
lent struggle,  Thor  began  to  lose  his  footing,  and  was 
finally  brought  down  upon  one  knee.  Utgard-Loki  then 
told  them  to  desist,  adding  that  Thor  had  now  no  occasion 
to  ask  any  one  else  in  the  hall  to  wrestle  with  him,  and  it 
was  also  getting  late ;  so  he  showed  Thor  and  his  com- 
panions to  their  seats,  and  they  passed  the  night  there  in 
good  cheer. 

The  next  morning  at  break  of  day,  Thor  and  his  com- 
panions dressed  themselves  and  prepared  for  their  depart- 
ure. Utgard-Loki  ordered  a  table  to  be  set  for  them,  on 
which  there  was  no  lack  of  victuals  or  drink.  After  the 
repast  Utgard-Loki  led  them  to  the  gate  of  the  city,  and 
on  parting  asked  Thor  how  he  thought  his  journey  had 
turned  out,  and  whether  he  had  met  with  any  men  stronger 
than  himself.  Thor  told  him  that  he  could  not  deny  but 
that  he  had  brought  great  shame  on  himself.  "And  what 
grieves  me  most,"  he  added,  "  is  that  ye  will  call  me  a  per- 
son of  little  worth." 

"  Nay,"  said  Utgard-Loki,  "  it  behooves  me  to  tell 
thee  the  truth,  now  thou  art  out  of  the  city,  which  so  long 


454  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES. 

as  I  live  and  have  my  way  thou  shalt  never  enter  again. 
And,  by  my  troth,  had  I  known  beforehand,  that  thou 
hadst  so  much  strength  in  thee,  and  wouldst  have  brought 
me  so  near  to  a  great  mishap,  I  would  not  have  suffered 
thee  to  enter  this  time.  Know  then  that  I  have  all  along 
deceived  thee  by  my  illusions  ;  first  in  the  forest,  where  I 
tied  up  the  wallet  with  iron  wire  so  that  thou  couldst  not 
untie  it.  After  this  thou  gavest  me  three  blows  with  thy 
mallet ;  the  first,  though  the  least,  would  have  ended  my 
days  had  it  fallen  on  me,  but  I  slipped  aside  and  thy  blows 
fell  on  the  mountain  where  thou  wUt  find  three  glens,  one 
of  them  remarkably  deep.  These  are  the  dints  made  by 
thy  mallet.  I  have  made  use  of  similar  illusions  in  the 
contests  you  have  had  with  my  followers.  In  the  first, 
Loki,  like  hunger  itself,  devoured  all  that  was  set  before 
him,  but  Logi  was  in  reality  nothing  else  than  Fire,  and 
therefore  consumed  not  only  the  meat,  but  the  trough 
which  held  it.  Hugi,  with  whom  Thialfi  contended  in  run- 
ning, was  Thought,  and  it  was  impossible  for  Thialfi  to 
keep  pace  with  that.  When  thou  in  thy  turn  didst  at- 
tempt to  empty  the  horn,  thou  didst  perform,  by  my  troth, 
a  deed  so  marvellous,  that  had  I  not  seen  it  myself,  I 
should  never  have  believed  it.  For  one  end  of  that  horn 
reached  the  sea,  which  thou  wast  not  aware  of,  but  when 
thou  comest  to  the  shore  thou  wilt  perceive  how  much  the 
sea  has  sunk  by  thy  draughts.  Thou  didst  perform  a  feat 
no  less  wonderful  by  lifting  up  the  cat,  and  to  tell  thee  the 
ti"uth,  when  we  saw  that  one  of  his  paws  was  off  the  floor, 
we  were  all  of  us  terror-stricken,  for  what  thou  tookest 
for  a  cat  was  in  reality  the  Midgard  serpent  that  encom- 
passeth  the  earth,  and  he  was  so  stretched  by  thee,  that 
he  was  barely  long  enough  to  enclose  it  between  his  head 
and  tail.     Thy  wrestling  with  Elli  was  also  a  most  aston- 


STORIES    OP   GODS   AND    HEROES.  455 

jshing  feat,  for  there  was  never  yet  a  man,  nor  ever  wili 
be,  whom  Old  Age,  for  such  in  fact  was  Elh,  will  not 
sooner  or  later  lay  low.  But  now,  as  we  are  going  to  part, 
let  me  tell  thee  that  it  will  be  better  for  both  of  us  if  thou 
never  come  near  me  again,  for  shouldst  thou  do  so,  I 
shall  again  defend  myself  by  other  illusions,  so  that  thou 
wilt  only  lose  thy  labor  and  get  no  fame  from  the  contest 
with  me." 

On  hearing  these  words  Thor  in  a  rage  laid  hold  of  his 
mallet  and  would  have  launched  it  at  him,  but  Utgard- 
Loki  had  disappeared,  and  when  Thor  would  have  re- 
turned to  the  city  to  destroy  it,  he  found  nothing  around 
him  but  a  verdant  plain. 


456  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


CHAPTER    XL. 

THE    DEATH    OF    BALD  UR  — THE    ELVES  — RUNIC 
LETTERS  —  SKALDS  —  ICELAND. 

THE   DEATH    OP   BALDUR. 

Baldur  the  Good,  having  been  tormented  with  terrible 
dreams  indicating  that  his  life  was  in  peril,  told  them  to 
the  assembled  gods,  who  resolved  to  conjure  all  things  to 
avert  from  him  the  threatened  danger.  Then  Frigga,  the 
wife  of  Odin,  exacted  an  oath  from  fire  and  water,  from 
iron  and  all  other  metals,  from  stones,  trees,  diseases,  beasts, 
birds,  poisons,  and  creeping  things,  that  none  of  them 
would  do  any  harm  to  Baldur.  Odin,  not  satisfied  with 
all  this,  and  feeling  alarmed  for  the  fate  of  his  son,  deter- 
mined to  consult  the  prophetess  Angerbode,  a  giantess, 
mother  of  Fenris,  Hela,  and  the  Midgard  serpent.  She 
was  dead,  and  Odin  was  forced  to  seek  her  in  Hela's  do- 
minions. This  Descent  of  Odin  forms  the  subject  of 
Gray's  fine  ode  beginning,  — 


*  Uprose  the  king  of  men  with  speed 
And  saddled  straight  his  coal-black  steed." 


But  the  other  gods,  feeling  that  what  Frigga  had  done  was 
quite  sufficient,  amused  themselves  with  using  Baldur  as  a 
mark,  some  hurling  darts  at  him,  some  stones,  while  others 
hewed  at  him  with  their  swords  and  battle-axes ;  for  do 


STOKIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEKOES.  457 

what  they  would  none  of  them  could  harm  him.  And 
this  became  a  favorite  jjastime  with  them  and  was  regard- 
ed as  an  honor  shown  to  Baldur.  But  when  Loki  beheld 
the  scene  he  was  sorely  vexed  that  Baldur  was  not  hurt. 
Assuming,  therefore,  the  shape  of  a  woman,  he  went  to 
Fensalir,  the  mansion  of  Frigga.  That  goddess,  when 
she  saw  the  pretended  woman,  inquired  of  her  if  she  knew 
what  the  gods  were  doing  at  their  meetings.  She  replied 
that  they  were  throwing  darts  and  stones  at  Baldur,  with- 
out being  able  to  hurt  him.  "Ay,"  said  Frigga,  "  neither 
stones,  nor  sticks,  nor  any  thing  else  can  hurt  Baldur,  for 
I  have  exacted  an  oath  from  all  of  them."  "  What,"  ex- 
claimed the  woman,  "  have  all  things  sworn  to  spare  Bal- 
dur ?  "  "All  things,"  replied  Frigga,  "  except  one  little 
shrub  that  grows  on  the  eastern  side  of  Valhalla,  and  is 
called  Mistletoe,  and  which  I  thought  too  young  and  feeble 
to  crave  an  oath  from." 

As  soon  as  Loki  heard  this  he  went  away,  and  resum- 
ing his  natural  shape,  cut  off  the  mistletoe,  and  repaired 
to  the  place  where  the  gods  were  assembled.  There  he 
found  Hodur  standing  apart,  without  partaking  of  the 
sports,  on  account  of  his  blindness,  and  going  up  to  him, 
said,  "  Why  dost  thou  not  also  throw  something  at  Bal- 
dur ?  " 

"  Because  I  am  blind,"  answered  Hodur,  "  and  see  not 
where  Baldur  is,  and  have  moreover  nothing  to  throw." 

"  Come,  then,"  said  Loki,  "  do  like  the  rest,  and  show 
honor  to  Baldur  by  throwing  this  twig  at  him,  and  I  will 
direct  thy  arm  towards  the  place  where  he  stands." 

Hodur  then  took  the  mistletoe,  and  under  the  guidance 
of  Loki,  darted  it  at  Baldur,  who,  pierced  through  and 
through,  fell  down  lifeless.  Surely  never  was  there  wit- 
nessed, either  among  gods  or  men,  a  more  atrocious  deed 
39 


458  STORIES    OP    GODS    AND   HEKOES. 

than  this.  When  Baldur  fell,  the  gods  were  struck  speech- 
less with  horror,  and  then  they  looked  at  each  other,  and 
all  were  of  one  mind  to  lay  hands  on  him  who  had  done 
the  deed,  but  they  were  obliged  to  delay  their  vengeance 
out  of  respect  for  the  sacred  place  where  they  were  as- 
sembled. They  gave  vent  to  their  grief  by  loud  lamenta- 
tions. When  the  gods  came  to  themselves,  Frigga  asked 
who  among  them  wished  to  gain  all  her  love  and  good 
wiU.  "  For  this,"  said  she,  "  shall  he  have  who  will  ride 
to  Hel  and  offer  Hela  a  ransom  if  she  will  let  Baldur  re- 
turn to  Asgard."  Whereupon  Hermod,  surnamed  the 
Nimble,  the  son  of  Odin,  offered  to  undertake  the  journey. 
Odin's  horse,  Sleipnir,  which  has  eight  legs,  and  can  out- 
run the  wind,  was  then  led  forth,  on  which  Hermod  mount- 
ed and  galloped  away  on  his  mission.  For  the  space  of 
nine  days  and  as  many  nights  he  rode  thi'ough  deep  glens 
so  dark  that  he  could  not  discern  any  thing,  until  he  arrived 
at  the  river  GyoU,  which  he  passed  over  on  a  bridge  cov- 
ered with  glittering  gold.  The  maiden  who  kept  the 
bridge  asked  him  his  name  and  lineage,  telling  him  that 
the  day  before  five  bands  of  dead  persons  had  ridden  over 
the  bridge,  and  did  not  shake  it  as  much  as  he  alone. 
"  But,"  she  added,  "  thou  hast  not  death's  hue  on  thee ;  why 
then  ridest  thou  here  on  the  way  to  Hel  ?  " 

"  I  ride  to  Hel,"  answered  Hermod,  "  to  seek  Baldur. 
Hast  thou  perchance  seen  him  pass  this  way  ?  " 

She  replied,  "  Baldur  hath  ridden  over  Gyoll's  bridge, 
and  yonder  lieth  the  way  he  took  to  the  abodes  of  death." 

Hermod  pursued  his  journey  until  he  came  to  the  barred 
gates  of  Hel.  Here  he  alighted,  girthed  his  saddle  tighter, 
and  remounting  clapped  both  spurs  to  his  horse,  who 
cleared  the  gate  by  a  tremendous  leap  without  touching  it. 
Hermod  then  rode  on  to  the  piUuce,  where  he  found  his 


STORIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEUOKS.  459 

brother  Baldur  occupying  the  most  distinguished  seat  in 
the  liall,  and  passed  tlie  night  in  his  company.  The  next 
morning  he  besought  Hela  to  let  Baldur  ride  home  with 
him,  assuring  her  that  nothing  but  lamentations  were  to 
be  heard  among  the  gods.  Hela  answered  that  it  should 
now  be  tried  whether  Baldur  was  so  beloved  as  he  was 
said  to  be.  "  If,  therefore,"  she  added,  "  all  things  in  the 
world,  both  living  and  lifeless,  weep  for  him,  then  shall  he 
return  to  life ;  but  if  any  one  thing  speak  against  him  or 
refuse  to  weep,  he  shall  be  kept  in  Hel." 

Hermod  then  rode  back  to  Asgard  and  gave  an  account 
of  all  he  had  heard  and  witnessed. 

The  gods  upon  this  despatched  messengers  throughout 
the  world  to  beg  every  thing  to  weep  in  order  that  Baldur 
might  be  delivered  from  Hel.  All  things  very  wilhngly 
complied  with  this  request,  both  men  and  every  other  liv- 
ing being,  as  well  as  earths,  and  stones,  and  trees,  and 
metals,  just  as  we  have  all  seen  these  things  weep  when 
they  are  brought  from  a  cold  place  into  a  hot  one.  As 
the  messengers  were  returning,  they  found  an  old  hag 
named  Thaukt  sitting  in  a  cavern,  and  begged  her  to  weep 
Baldur  out  of  Hel. "  But  she  answered,  — 

"Thaukt  will  wail 
With  dry  tears 
Baldur's  bale-fire. 
Let  Hela  keep  her  own." 

It  was  strongly  suspected  that  this  hag  was'  no  other 
than  Loki  himself,  who  never  ceased  to  work  evil  among 
gods  and  men.  So  Baldur  was  prevented  from  coming 
back  to  Asgard.* 

*  In  Longfellow's  Poems,  vol.  ii.  page  379,  will  be  found  a  poem 
entitled  Tegner's  Drapa,  upon  the  subject  of  Baldur's  death. 


460  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


THE   FUNERAL   OP   BALDUR. 

The  gods  took  up  the  dead  body  and  bore  it  to  the  sea- 
shore where  stood  Baldur's  ship  Ilringham,  which  passed 
for  the  largest  in  the  world.  Baldur's  dead  body  was  put 
on  the  funeral  pile,  on  board  the  ship,  and  his  wife  Nanna 
was  so  struck  with  grief  at  the  sight  that  she  broke  her 
heart,  and  her  body  was  burned  on  the  same  pile  with  her 
husband's.  There  was  a  vast  concourse  of  various  kinds 
of  people  at  Baldur's  obsequies.  First  came  Odin  accom- 
panied by  Frigga,  the  Valkyrior,  and  his  ravens ;  then 
Frey  in  his  car  drawn  by  GuUinbursti,  the  boar ;  Heim- 
dall  rode  his  horse  GuUtopp,  and  Freya  drove  in  her  chariot 
drawn  by  cats.  There  were  also  a  great  many  Frost 
giants  and  giants  of  the  mountain  present.  Baldur's  horse 
was  led  to  the  pile  fully  caparisoned  and  consumed  in  the 
same  flames  with  his  master. 

But  Loki  did  not  escape  his  deserved  punishment. 
When  he  saw  how  angiy  the  gods  were,  he  fled  to  the 
mountain,  and  there  built  himself  a  hut  with  four  doors,  so 
that  he  could  see  every  approaching  danger.  He  invented 
a  net  to  catch  the  fishes,  such  as  fishermen  have  used  since 
his  time.  But  Odin  found  out  his  hiding-place  and  the 
gods  assembled  to  take  him.  He,  seeing  this,  changed  him- 
self into  a  salmon,  and  lay  hid  among  the  stones  of  the 
brook.  But  the  gods  took  his  net  and  dragged  the  brook, 
and  Loki  finding  he  must  be  caught,  tried  to  leap  over  the 
net ;  but  Thor  caught  him  by  the  tail  and  compressed  it 
so,  that  salmons  ever  since  have  had  that  part  remarkably 
fine  and  thin.  They  bound  him  with  chains  and  suspend- 
ed a  serpent  over  his  head,  whose  venom  falls  upon  his 
face  drop  by  drop.     His  wife  Siguna  sits  by  his  side  and 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  461 

catches  the  drops  as  they  fall,  in  a  cup  ;  but  when  she  car- 
ries it  away  to  empty  it,  the  venom  falls  upon  Loki,  which 
makes  him  howl  with  horror,  and  twist  his  body  about  so 
violently  that  the  whole  earth  shakes,  and  this  produces 
what  men  call  earthquakes. 


THE   ELVES. 

The  Edda  mentions  another  class  of  beings,  inferior  to 
the  gods,  but  still  possessed  of  great  power ;  these  were 
called  Elves.  The  white  spirits,  or  Elves  of  Light,  were 
exceedingly  fair,  more  brilliant  than  the  sun,  and  clad  in 
garments  of  a  delicate  and  transparent  texture.  They 
loved  the  light,  w^ere  kindly  disposed  to  mankind,  and  gen- 
erally appeared  as  fair  and  lovely  children.  Their  country 
was  called  Alf  heim,  and  was  the  domain  of  Freyr,  the  god 
of  the  sun,  in  whose  light  they  were  always  sporting. 

The  black  or  Night  Elves  were  a  different  kind  of 
creatures.  Ugly,  long-nosed  dwarfs,  of  a  dirty  brown 
color,  they  appeared  only  at  night,  for  they  avoided  the  sun 
as  their  most  deadly  enemy,  because  whenever  his  beams 
fell  upon  any  of  them  they  changed  them  immediately 
into  stones.  Their  language  was  the  echo  of  solitudes, 
and  their  dwelling-places  subterranean  caves  and  clefts. 
They  were  supposed  to  have  come  into  existence  as  maggots 
produced  by  the  decaying  flesh  of  Ymir's  body,  and  were 
afterw^ards  endowed  by  the  gods  with  a  human  fonn  and 
great  understanding.  They  wei'e  particularly  distinguished 
for  a  knowledge  of  the  mysterious  powers  of  nature,  and 
for  the  runes  which  they  carved  and  explained.  They 
were  the  most  skilful  artificers  of  all  created  beings,  and 
worked  in  metals  and  in  wood.  Among  their  most  noted 
.39* 


4<62  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

works  were  Thor's  hammer,  and  the  ship  Skidbladnir, 
which  they  gave  to  Freyr,  and  which  was  so  large  that  it 
could  contain  all  the  deities  with  their  war  and  household 
implements,  but  so  skilfully  was  it  wrought  that  when 
folded  together  it  could  be  put  into  a  side  pocket. 


KAGNAROK,   THE  TWILIGHT   OP  THE   GODS. 

It  was  a  firm  belief  of  the  northern  nations  that  a  time 
would  come  when  all  the  visible  creation,  the  gods  of  Val- 
halla and  Niffleheim,  the  inhabitants  of  Jotunheira,  Alf- 
heim,  and  Midgard,  together  with  their  habitations,  would 
be  destroyed.  The  fearful  day  of  destruction  will  not  how- 
ever be  without  its  forerunners.  First  will  come  a  triple 
winter,  during  which  snow  will  fall  from  the  four  comers 
of  the  heavens,  the  frost  be  very  severe,  the  wind  piercing, 
the  weather  tempestuous,  and  the  sun  impart  no  gladness. 
Three  such  winters  will  pass  away  without  being  tempered 
by  a  single  summer.  Three  other  similar  winters  will 
then  follow,  during  which  war  and  discord  will  spread  over 
the  universe.  The  earth  itself  will  be  frightened  and  be- 
gin to  tremble,  the  sea  leave  its  basin,  the  heavens  tear 
asunder,  and  men  perish  in  great  numbers,  and  the  eagles 
of  the  air  feast  upon  their  still  quivering  bodies.  The 
wolf  Fenris  will  now  break  his  bands,  the  IMidgard  serpent 
rise  out  of  her  bed  in  the  sea,  and  Loki,  released  from  his 
bonds,  will  join  the  enemies  of  the  gods.  Amidst  the  gen- 
eral devastation  the  sons  of  Muspelheim  will  rush  forth 
under  their  leader  Surtur,  before  and  behind  whom  are 
flames  and  burning  fire.  Onward  they  ride  over  Bifrost, 
the  rainbow  bridge,  which  breaks  under  the  horses'  hoofs. 
But  they,  disregarding  its  fall,  direct  their  course  to  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  463 

battle-field  called  Vigrid.  Thither  also  repair  the  wolf 
Fenris,  the  IMidgard  serpent,  Loki  with  all  the  followers 
of  Hela,  and  the  Frost  giants. 

Heimdall  now  stands  up  and  sounds  the  Giallar  horn  to 
assemble  the  gods  and  heroes  lor  the  contest.  The  gods 
advance  led  on  by  Odin,  who  engages  the  wolf  Fenris, 
but  falls  a  victim  to  tlie  monster,  who  is  however  slain  by 
Vidar,  Odin's  son.  Thor  gains  great  renown  by  killing 
the  Midgard  serpent,  but  recoils  and  falls  dead,  suffocated 
with  the  venom  which  the  dying  monster  vomits  over  him. 
Loki  and  Heimdall  meet  and  fight  till  they  are  both  slain. 
The  gods  and  their  enemies  having  fallen  in  battle,  Surtur, 
who  has  killed  Freyr,  darts  fire  and  flames  over  the  world, 
and  the  whole  universe  is  burned  up.  The  sun  becomes 
dim,  the  earth  sinks  into  the  ocean,  the  stars  fall  from 
heaven,  and  time  is  no  more. 

After  this  Alfadur  (the  Almighty)  will  cause  a  new 
heaven  and  a  new  earth  to  arise  out  of  the  sea.  The  new 
earth  filled  with  abundant  supplies  will  spontaneously  pro- 
duce its  fruits  without  labor  or  care.  Wickedness  and 
misery  will  no  more  be  known,  but  the  gods  and  men  will 
live  happily  together. 


RUNIC   LETTERS. 

One  cannot  travel  far  in  Denmark,  Norway,  or  Sweden 
without  meeting  with  great  stones,  of  different  forms,  en- 
graven with  characters  called  Runic,  which  appear  at  first 
sight  very  different  from  all  we  know.  The  letters  con- 
sist almost  invariably  of  straight  lines,  in  the  shape  of 
little  sticks  either  singly  or  put  together.  Such  sticks 
were  in  early  times  used  by  the  northern  nations  for  the 


464  sToniES  ok  gods  and  heroes. 

purpose  of  ascertaining  future  events.  The  sticks  were 
shaken  up,  and  from  the  figures  that  tliey  formed  a  kind 
of  divination  was  derived. 

The  Runic  characters  were  of  various  kinds.  They 
were  chiefly  used  for  magical  purposes.  The  noxious,  or, 
as  they  called  them,  the  hitler  runes,  were  employed  to 
bring  various  evils  on  their  enemies ;  the  favorable  averted 
misfortune.  Some  were  medicinal,  others  employed  to 
win  love,  &c.  In  later  times  they  were  frequently  used 
for  inscriptions,  of  which  more  than  a  thousand  have  been 
found.  The  language  is  a  dialect  of  the  Gothic,  called 
Norse,  still  in  use  in  Iceland.  The  inscriptions  may  there- 
fore be  read  with  certainty,  but  hitherto  very  few  have 
been  found  which  throw  the  least  light  on  history.  They 
are  mostly  epitaphs  on  tombstones. 

Gray's  ode  on  the  Descent  of  Odin  contains  an  allusion 
to  the  use  of  Runic  letters  for  incantation  :  — 

"  Facing  to  the  northern  clime, 
Thfice  he  traced  the  Runic  rhyme  ; 
Thrice  pronounced,  in  accents  dread, 
The  thrilling  verse  that  wakes  the  dead, 
Till  from  out  the  hollow  ground 
Slowly  breathed  a  sullen  sound." 


THE  SKALDS. 

The  Skalds  were  the  bards  and  poets  of  the  nation,  a 
very  important  class  of  men  in  all  communities  in  an  early 
stage  of  civilization.  They  are  the  depositaries  of  what- 
ever historic  lore  there  is,  and  it  is  their  office  to  mingle 
something  of  intellectual  gratification  with  the  rude  feasts 


STORIES    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  4G5 

of  the  warriors,  by  rehearsing,  with  such  accompaniments 
of  poetry  and  music  as  their  skill  can  afford,  the  exploits 
of  their  heroes  living  or  dead.  The  compositions  of  the 
Skalds  were  called  Sagas,  many  of  which  have  come  down 
to  us,  and  contain  valuable  materials  of  history,  and  a 
faithful  picture  of  the  state  of  society  at  the  time  to  which 
they  relate. 

ICELAND. 

The  Eddas  and  Sagas  have  come  to  us  from  Iceland. 
The  following  extract  from  Carlyle's  Lectures  on  Heroes 
and  Hero  Worship  gives  an  animated  account  of  the  region 
where  the  strange  stories  we  have  been  reading  had  their 
origin.  Let  the  reader  contrast  it  for  a  moment  with 
Greece,  the  parent  of  classical  mythology. 

"  In  that  strange  island,  Iceland,  —  burst  up,  the  geol- 
ogists say,  by  fire  from  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  a  wild  land 
of  barrenness  and  lava,  swallowed  many  months  of  eveiy 
year  in  black  tempests,  yet  with  a  wild,  gleaming  beauty 
in  summer  time,  towering  up  there  stern  and  grim  in  the 
North  Ocean,  with  its  snow  yokuls,  [mountains,]  roaring 
geysers,  [boiling  springs,]  sulphur  pools,  and  horrid  vol- 
canic chasms,  like  the  waste,  chaotic  battle-field  of  Frost 
and  Fire,  —  where,  of  all  places,  we  least  looked  for  lit- 
erature or  written  memorials,  —  the  record  of  these  things 
was  written  down.  On  the  seaboard  of  this  wild  land  is 
a  rim  of  grassy  country,  where  cattle  can  subsist,  and  men 
by  means  of  them  and  of  what  the  sea  yields ;  and  it 
seems  they  were  poetic  men  these,  men  who  had  deep 
thoughts  in  them  and  uttered  musically  their  thoughts. 
Much  would  be  lost  had  Iceland  not  been  burst  up  from 
the  sea,  not  been  discovered  by  the  Northmen  !  " 


4GG  STORIES    OP   GODS    AND    UKROF.S. 


Cromlech. 

CHAPTER    XLI. 

THE  DRUIDS  — lONA. 
DRUIDS. 

The  Druids  were  the  priests  or  ministers  of  religion 
among  the  ancient  Celtic  nations  in  Gaul,  Britain,  and 
Germany.  Our  information  respecting  them  is  borrowed 
from  notices  in  the  Greek  and  Roman  writers,  com- 
pared with  the  remains  of  Welsh  and  Gaelic  poetry 
still  extant. 

The  Druids  combined  the  functions  of  the  priest,  the 


STOKIliS    OP    GODS    AND    HEROES.  467 

magistrate,  the  scholar,  and  the  physician.  They  stood  to 
the  people  of  the  Celtic  tribes  in  a  relation  closely  analo- 
gous to  that  in  which  the  Bralunans  of  India,  the  Magi  of 
Persia,  and  the  priests  of  the  Egyptians  stood  to  the  peo- 
ple respectively  by  whom  they  were  revered. 

The  Druids  taught  the  existence  of  one  god,  to  whom 
they  gave  a  name  "  Be'  al,"  which  Celtic  antiquaries  tell 
us  means  "  the  life  of  every  thing,"  or  "  the  source  of  all 
beings,"  and  which  seems  to  have  affinity  with  the  Phoeni- 
cian Baal.  What  renders  this  affinity  more  striking  is 
that  the  Druids  as  well  as  the  Phoenicians  identified  this, 
their  supreme  deity,  with  the  Sun.  Fire  was  regarded  as 
a  symbol  of  the  divinity.  The  Latin  writers  assert  that 
the  Druids  also  worshipped  numerous  inferior  gods. 

They  used  no  images  to  represent  the  object  of  their 
worship,  nor  did  they  meet  in  temples  or  buildings  of  any 
kind  for  the  performance  of  their  sacred  rites.  A  circle 
of  stones  (each  stone  generally  of  vast  size)  enclosing  an 
area  of  from  twenty  feet  to  thirty  yards  in  diameter,  con- 
stituted their  sacred  place.  The  most  celebrated  of  these 
now  remaining  is  Stonehenge,  on  Salisbury  Plain,  Eng- 
land. 

These  sacred  circles  were  generally  situated  near  some 
stream,  or  under  the  shadow  of  a  grove  or  wide-spreading 
oak.  In  the  centre  of  the  circle  stood  the  Cromlech  or 
altar,  which  was  a  large  stone,  placed  in  the  manner  of  a 
table  upon  other  stones  set  up  on  end.  The  Druids  had 
also  their  high  places,  which  vt-^ere  large  stones  or  piles  of 
stones  on  the  summits  of  hills.  These  were  called  Cairns, 
and  were  used  in  the  worship  of  the  deity  under  the  sym- 
bol of  the  sun. 

That  the  Druids  offered  sacrifices  to  their  deity  there 
can  be  no  doubt.     But  there  is  some  uncertainty  as  to 


468  STORIES    OF   GODS    AND    HEROES. 

what  they  offered,  and  of  the  ceremonies  connected  with 
their  reh'gious  services  we  know  almost  nothing.  The 
classical  (Jioman)  writers  affirm  that  they  offered  on  great 
occasions  human  sacrifices ;  as  for  success  in  war  or  for 
relief  from  dangerous  diseases.  Cajsar  has  given  a  de- 
tailed account  of  the  manner  in  which  this  Avas  done. 
"  They  have  images  of  immense  size,  the  limbs  of  which 
ai*e  framed  with  twisted  twigs  and  filled  with  living  per- 
sons. These  being  set  on  fire,  those  within  are  encom- 
passed by  the  flames."  Many  attempts  have  been  made 
by  Celtic  writers  to  shake  the  testimony  of  the  Roman 
historians  to  this  fact,  but  without  success. 

The  Druids  observed  two  festivals  in  each  year.  The 
former  took  place  in  the  beginning  of  May,  and  was  called 
Beltane  or  "  fire  of  God."  On  this  occasion  a  large  fire 
was  kindled  on  some  elevated  spot,  in  honor  of  the  sun, 
whose  returning  beneficence  they  thus  welcomed  after  the 
gloom  and  desolation  of  winter.  Of  this  custom  a  trace 
remains  in  the  name  given  to  Whitsunday  in  parts  of 
Scotland  to  this  day.  Sir  Walter  Scott  uses  the  word  in 
the  Boat  Song  in  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  :  — 

"  Ours  is  no  sapling,  chance  sown  by  the  fountain, 
Blooming  at  Beltane  in  wnter  to  fade ;  "  &c. 

The  other  great  festival  of  the  Druids  was  called 
"  Samh'  in,"  or  "  fire  of  peace,"  and  was  held  on  Hallow-eve, 
(first  of  November,)  which  still  retains  this  designation  in 
the  Highlands  of  Scotland.  On  this  occasion  the  Druids 
assembled  in  solemn  conclave,  in  the  most  central  part  of 
the  district,  to  discharge  the  judicial  functions  of  their 
order.  All  questions,  whether  public  or  private,  all  crimes 
against  person  or  property,  were  at  this  time  brought  be- 
fore them  for  adjudication.     With  these  judicial  acts  were 


STOUIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  469 

combined  certain  superstitious  usages,  especially  the  kin- 
dling of  the  sacred  fire,  from  which  all  the  fires  in  the 
district,  which  had  been  beforehand  scrupulously  extin- 
guished, might  be  relighted.  This  usage  of  kindling  fires 
on  Hallow-eve  lingered  in  the  British  islands  long  after 
the  establishment  of  Christianity. 

Besides  these  two  great  annual  festivals,  the  Druids 
were  in  the  habit  of  observing  the  full  moon,  and  espe- 
cially the  sixth  day  of  the  moon.  On  the  latter  they 
sought  the  Mistletoe,  which  grew  on  their  favorite  oaks, 
and  to  which,  as  well  as  to  the  oak  itself,  they  ascribed  a 
peculiar  virtue  and  sacredness.  The  discovery  of  it  was 
an  occasion  of  rejoicing  and  solemn  worship.  "  They  call 
it,"  says  Pliny,  "  by  a  word  in  their  language  which  means 
'  heal-all,'  and  having  made  solemn  preparation  for  feasting 
and  sacrifice  under  the  tree,  they  drive  thither  two  milk- 
white  bulls,  whose  horns  are  then  for  the  first  time  bound. 
The  priest  then,  robed  in  white,  ascends  the  tree,  and  cuts 
off  the  mistletoe  with  a  golden  sickle.  It  is  caught  in  a 
white  mantle,  after  which  they  proceed  to  slay  the  victims, 
at  the  same  time  praying  that  God  would  render  his  gift 
prosperous  to  those  to  whom  he  had  given  it."  They 
drink  the  water  in  which  it  has  been  infused,  and  think  it 
a  remedy  for  all  diseases.  The  mistletoe  is  a  parasitic 
plant,  and  is  not  always  nor  often  found  on  the  oak,  so 
that  when  it  is  found  it  is  the  more  precious. 

The  Druids  were  the  teachers  of  morality  as  well  as  of 
religion.  Of  their  ethical  teaching  a  valuable  specimen  is 
preserved  in  the  Triads  of  the  Welsh  Bai'ds,  and  from 
this  we  may  gather  that  their  views  of  moral  rectitude 
were  on  the  whole  just,  and  that  they  held  and  inculcated 
many  very  noble  and  valuable  principles  of  conduct. 
They  were  also  the  men  of  science  and  learning  of  their 
40 


470  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND   HEROES. 

age  and  people.  Whether  they  were  acquainted  with 
letters  or  not  has  been  disputed,  though  the  probability  is 
strong  that  they  were,  to  some  extent.  But  it  is  certain 
that  they  comnaitted  nothing  of  their  doctrine,  their  his- 
tory, or  their  poetry  to  writing.  Their  teaching  was  oral, 
and  their  literature  (if  such  a  word  may  be  used  in  such 
a  case)  was  preserved  solely  by  tradition.  But  the  Ro- 
man writers  admit  that  "  they  paid  much  attention  to  the 
order  and  laws  of  nature,  and  investigated  and  taught  to 
the  youth  under  their  charge  many  things  concerning  the 
stars  and  their  motions,  the  size  of  the  world  and  the 
lands,  and  concerning  the  might  and  power  of  the  immor- 
tal gods." 

Their  history  consisted  in  traditional  tales,  in  which  the 
heroic  deeds  of  their  forefathers  were  celebrated.  These 
were  apparently  in  verse,  and  thus  constituted  part  of  the 
poetry  as  well  as  the  history  of  the  Druids.  In  the  poems 
of  Ossian  we  have,  if  not  the  actual  productions  of  Druid- 
ical  times,  what  may  be  considered  faithful  representations 
of  the  songs  of  the  Bards. 

The  Bards  were  an  essential  part  of  the  Druidical  hie- 
rarchy. One  author.  Pennant,  says,  "  The  Bards  were 
supposed  to  be  endowed  with  poAvers  equal  to  inspiration. 
They  were  the  oral  historians  of  all  past  transactions,  pub- 
lic and  private.  They  were  also  accomplished  genealo- 
gists, &c." 

Pennant  gives  a  minute  account  of  the  Eisteddfods  or 
sessions  of  the  Bards  and  minstrels,  which  were  held  in 
Wales  for  many  centuries,  long  after  the  Druidical  priest- 
hood in  its  other  departments  became  extinct.  At  these 
meetings  none  but  Bards  of  merit  were  sufFei*ed  to  rehearse 
their  pieces,  and  minstrels  of  skill  to  perform.  Judges 
were  appointed  to  decide  on  their  respective  abilities,  and 
suitable  degrees  were  conferred.    lu  the  earlier  period  the 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  471 

judges  were  appointed  by  the  Welsh  princes,  and  after  the 
conquest  of  Wales,  by  commission  from  the  kings  of  Eng- 
land. Yet  the  tradition  is  that  Edward  I.,  in  revenge  for 
the  influence  of  the  Bards,  in  animating  the  resistance  of 
the  people  to  his  sway,  persecuted  them  with  great  cruelty. 
This  tradition  has  furnished  the  poet  Gray  with  the  sub- 
ject of  his  celebrated  ode,  the  Bai'd. 

There  are  still  occasional  meetings  of  the  lovers  of 
Welsh  poetry  and  music,  held  under  the  ancient  name. 
Among  Mrs.  Plemans's  poems  is  one  written  for  an  Eis- 
teddfod, or  meeting  of  Welsh  Bards,  held  in  London  May 
22,  1822.  It  begins  with  a  description  of  the  ancient 
meeting,  of  which  the  following  lines  are  a  part :  — 

'« midst  the  eternal  clifTs,  whose  strength  defied 

The  crested  Roman  in  his  hour  of  pride ; 

And  where  the  Druid's  ancient  cromlech  frowned, 

And  the  oaks  breathed  mysterious  murmurs  round, 

There  thronged  the  inspired  of  yore !  on  plain  or  height, 

In  the  sun's  face,  beneath  the  eye  of  light, 

And  baring  unto  heaven  each  noble  head. 

Stood  in  the  circle,  where  none  else  might  tread." 

The  Druidical  system  was  at  its  height  at  the  time  of 
the  Roman  invasion  under  Julius  Caesar.  Against  the 
Druids,  as  their  chief  enemies,  these  conquerors  of  the 
world  dkected  their  unsparing  fury.  The  Druids,  har- 
assed at  all  points  on  the  main  land,  retreated  to  Anglesey 
and  lona,  where  for  a  season  they  found  shelter  and  con- 
tinued their  now-dishonored  rites. 

The  Druids  retained  their  predominance  in  lona  and 
over  the  adjacent  islands  and  main  land  until  they  were 
supplanted  and  their  superstitions  overturned  by  the  ar- 
rival of  St.  Columba,  the  apostle  of  the  Highlands,  by 
whom  the  inhabitants  of  that  district  were  first  led  to  pro- 
fess Christianity. 


472  STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 


lONA. 

One  of  the  smallest  of  the  British  Isles,  situated  near  a 
nigged  and  barren  coast,  surrounded  by  dangerous  seas, 
and  possessing  no  sources  of  internal  wealth,  lona  has 
obtained  an  imperishable  place  in  history  as  the  seat  of 
civilization  and  religion  at  a  time  when  the  darkness  of 
heathenism  hung  over  almost  the  whole  of  Northern  Eu- 
rope, lona  or  Icolmkill  is  situated  at  the  extremity  of  the 
island  of  Mull,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  a  strait  of 
half  a  mile  in  breadth,  its  distance  from  the  main  land  of 
Scotland  being  thirty-six  miles. 

Columba  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  connected  by 
birth  with  the  princes  of  the  land.  Ireland  was  at  that 
time  a  land  of  gospel  light,  while  the  western  and  northern 
parts  of  Scotland  were  still  immersed  in  the  darkness  of 
heathenism.  Columba  with  twelve  friends  landed  on  the 
island  of  lona  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  5G3,  having  made 
the  passage  in  a  wicker  boat  covered  with  hides.  The 
Druids  who  occupied  the  island  endeavored  to  prevent  his 
settling  there,  and  the  savage  nations  on  the  adjoining 
shores  incommoded  him  with  their  hostility,  and  on  several 
occasions  endangered  his  life  by  their  attacks.  Yet  by  his 
perseverance  and  zeal  he  surmounted  all  opposition,  pro- 
cured from  the  king  a  gift  of  the  island,  and  established 
there  a  monastery  of  which  he  was  the  abbot.  He  was 
unwearied  in  his  labors  to  disseminate  a  knowledge  of  the 
Scwptures  throughout  the  Highlands  and  Islands  of  Scot- 
land, and  such  was  the  reverence  paid  him  that  though  not 
a  bishop,  but  merely  a  presbyter  and  monk,  the  entire 
province  with  its  bishops  was  subject  to  him  and  his  suc- 
cessors.    The  Pictish  monarch  was  so  impressed  with  a 


STOllIES    OF    GODS   AND    HEROES.  473 

sense  of  his  wisdom  and  worth  that  he  held  him  in  the 
highest  honor,  and  the  neighboring  chiefs  and  princes 
sought  his  counsel  and  availed  themselves  of  his  judg- 
ment in  settling  their  disputes. 

When  Columba  landed  on  lona  he  was  attended  by 
twelve  followers  whom  he  had  formed  into  a  religious  body 
of  which  he  was  the  head.  To  these,  as  occasion  re- 
quired, others  were  from  time  to  time  added,  so  that  the 
original  number  was  always  kept  up.  Their  institution 
was  called  a  monastery  and  the  superior  an  abbot,  but  the 
system  had  little  in  common  with  the  monastic  institutions 
of  later  times.  The  name  by  which  those  who  submitted 
to  the  rule  were  known  was  that  of  Culdees,  probably 
from  the  Latin  "  cultores  Dei "  —  worshippers  of  God. 
They  were  a  body  of  religious  persons  associated  together 
for  the  purpose  of  aiding  each  other  in  the  common  work 
of  preaching  the  gospel  and  teaching  youth,  as  weU  as 
maintaining  in  themselves  the  fervor  of  devotion  by  united 
exercises  of  worship.  On  entering  the  order  certain  vows 
were  taken  by  the  members,  but  they  were  not  those 
which  were  usually  imposed  by  monastic  orders,  for  of 
these,  which  are  three,  celibacy,  poverty,  and  obedience, 
the  Culdees  were  bound  to  none  except  the  third.  To 
poverty  they  did  not  bind  themselves ;  on  the  contrary 
they  seem  to  have  labored  diligently  to  procure  for  them- 
selves and  those  dependent  on  them  the  comforts  of  life. 
Marriage  also  was  allowed  them,  and  most  of  them  seem 
to  have  entered  into  that  state.  True  their  wives  were 
not  permitted  to  reside  with  them  at  the  institution,  but 
they  had  a  residence  assigned  to  them  in  an  adjacent 
locality.  Near  lona  there  is  an  island  which  still  bears 
the  name  of  "Eilen  nam  ban,"  women's  island,  where 
their  husbands  seem  to  have  resided  with  them,  except 
40* 


474  STORIES    OF    GODS   AND   HEROES. 

when  duty  required  their  presence  in  the  school  or  the 
sanctuaiy. 

Campbell,  in  his  poem  of  ReuUura,  alludes  to  the  mar- 
ried monks  of  lona :  — 

" The  pure  Culdees 

"Were  Albyn's  earliest  priests  of  God, 
Ere  yet  an  island  of  her  seas 

By  foot  of  Saxon  monk  was  trod, 
Long  ere  her  churchmen  by  bigotry 
Were  barred  from  holy  wedlock's  tie. 
'Twas  then  that  Aodh,  famed  afar, 

In  lona  preached  the  word  with  power. 
And  Reullura,  beauty's  star. 

Was  the  partner  of  his  bower." 

In  one  of  his  Irish  Melodies,  Moore  gives  the  legend 
of  St.  Senanus  and  the  lady  who  sought  shelter  on  the 
island,  but  was  repulsed :  — 

•'  O,  haste  and  leave  this  sacred  isle. 
Unholy  bark,  ere  morning  smile  ; 
For  on  thy  deck,  though  dark  it  be, 

AJemale  form  I  see ; 
And  I  have  sworn  this  sainted  sod 
Shall  ne'er  by  woman's  foot  be  trod." 

In  these  respects  and  in  others  the  Culdees  departed 
from  the  established  rules  of  the  Romish  Church,  and 
consequently  were  deemed  heretical.  The  consequence 
was  that  as  the  power  of  the  latter  advanced  that  of  the 
Culdees  was  enfeebled.  It  was  not  however  till  the  thir- 
teenth century  that  the  communities  of  the  Culdees  were 
suppressed  and  the  members  dispersed.  They  still  con- 
tinued to  labor  as  individuals,  and  resisted  the  inroads  of 
Papal  usurpation  as  they  best  might  till  the  light  of  the 
Reformation  dawned  on  the  world. 


STORIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES.  475 

lona,  from  its  position  in  the  western  seas,  was  exposed 
to  the  assaults  of  the  Norwegian  and  Danish  rovers  by 
whom  those  seas  were  infested,  and  by  them  it  was  repeat- 
edly pillaged,  its  dwellings  burned,  and  its  peaceful  inhab- 
itants put  to  the  sword.  These  unfavorable  circumstances 
led  to  its  gradual  decline,  which  was  expedited  by  the  sub- 
version of  the  Culdees  throughout  Scotland.  Under  the 
reign  of  Popery  the  island  became  the  seat  of  a  nunnery, 
the  ruins  of  which  are  still  seen.  At  the  Reformation, 
the  nuns  were  allowed  to  remain,  living  in  community, 
when  the  abbey  was  dismantled. 

lona  is  now  chiefly  resorted  to  by  travellers  on  account 
of  the  numerous  ecclesiastical  and  sepulchral  remains 
which  are  found  upon  it.  The  principal  of  these  are  the 
Cathedral  or  Abbey  Church,  and  the  Chapel  of  the  Nun- 
nery. Besides  these  remains  of  ecclesiastical  antiquity, 
there  are  some  of  an  earlier  date,  and  pointing  to  the  ex- 
istence on  the  island  of  forms  of  worship  and  belief  differ- 
ent from  those  of  Christianity.  These  are  the  circular 
Cairns  which  are  found  in  various  parts,  and  which  seem 
to  have  been  of  Druidical  origin.  It  is  in  reference  to  all 
these  remains  of  ancient  religion  that  Johnson  exclaims, 
"  That  man  is  little  to  be  envied  whose  patriotism  would 
not  gain  force  upon  the  plains  of  Marathon,  or  whose 
piety  would  not  grow  warmer  amid  the  ruins  of  lona." 

In  the  Lord  of  the  Isles,  Scott  beautifully  contrasts  the 
church  on  lona  with  the  cave  of  Staffa,  opposite  :  — 

"  Nature  herself,  it  seemed,  would  raise 
A  minster  to  her  Maker's  praise ! 
Not  for  a  meaner  use  ascend 
Her  columns,  or  her  arches  bend ; 
Nor  of  a  theme  less  solemn  tells 
That  mighty  surge  that  ebbs  and  swells, 


476  STOKIES    OF    GODS    AND    HEROES. 

And  still  between  each  awful  pause, 
From  the  high  vault  an  answer  draws, 
In  varied  tone,  prolonged  and  high. 
That  mocks  the  organ's  melody ; 
Nor  doth  its  entrance  front  in  vain 
To  old  lona's  holy  fane. 
That  Nature's  voice  might  seem  to  say, 
"Well  hast  thou  done,  frail  child  of  clay ! 
Thy  humble  powers  that  stately  shrine 
Tasked  high  and  hard  —  but  witness  mine ! ' 


PROVERBIAL   EXPRESSIONS. 


No.  1.    Page  60. 
Mateeiem  superabat  opus.  —  Ovid, 
The  workmanship  surpassed  the  material. 

No.  2.    Page  60. 

Facies  non  omnibus  aina, 
Nee  diversa  tamen,  qualem  decet  esse  sororum.  —  Ovid. 
Their  faces  were  not  all  alike,  nor  yet  unlike,  but  such  as  those 
of  sisters  ought  to  be. 

No.  3.    Page  63. 
Medio  tutissimus  ibis.  —  Oi'id. 
You  will  go  most  safely  in  the  middle. 

No.  4.    Page  67. 

Hie  situs  est  Phaeton,  currus  auriga  patemi, 

Quern  si  non  tenuit,  magnis  tamen  excidit  ausis.  —  Ovid. 

Here  lies  Phaeton,  the  driver  of  his  father's  chariot,  which  if 
he  failed  to  manage,  yet  he  fell  in  a  great  undertaking. 

No.  5.    Page  171. 
Imponere  Pelio  Ossam.  —  Virgil. 

To  pile  Ossa  upon  Pelion. 

(477) 


478  PROVERBIAL    EXPRESSIONS. 

No.  6.    Page  311. 
Timeo  Danaos  et  dona  ferentes.  —  Virgil. 
I  fear  the  Greeks  even  -when  they  offer  gifts. 

No.  7.    Page  313. 

Non  tali  auxilio  nee  defensoribus  istis 
Tempus  eget.  —  Virgil. 

Not  such  aid  nor  such  defenders  does  the  time  require. 

No.  8.    Page  331. 
Incidit  in  Scyllam,  cupiens  vitare  Charybdim. 
He  runs  on  Scylla,  wishing  to  avoid  Charybdis. 

No.  9.    Page  316. 
Sequitur  patrem,  non  passibus  acquis.  —  Virgil. 
He  follows  his  father  with  unequal  steps. 

No.  10.    Page  349 

Monstrum  horrendum,  informe,  ingens,  cui  lumen  ademptum.  ^ 

Virgil. 

A  horrible  monster,  misshapen,  vast,  whose  only  eye  had  beea 
put  out. 

No.  11.    Page  350. 
Tantaene  animis  ecclestibus  irae  ?  —  Virgil. 
In  heavenly  minds  can  such  resentments  dwell  ? 

No.  12.    Pago  352. 

Haud  ignara  mali,  miseris  succuxrere  disco.  —  Virgil. 

Not  unacquainted  with  distress,  I  have  learned  to  succor  the 
nnfortunate. 


PKOVERBIAL    EXPRESSIONS.  479 

No.  13.    Page  352. 
Tros,  Tyriusve  mihi  nullo  discrimine  agetur.  —  VirgU. 
"Whether  Trojan  or  Tyrian  shall  make  no  difference  to  me. 

No.  14.    Page  355. 

Facilis  descensus  Avemi ; 
Noctcs  atque  dies  patet  atri  janua  Ditis  ; 
Sed  revocare  gradum,  superasque  cvadere  ad  auras, 
Hoc  opus,  hie  labor  est.  —  Virgil. 

The  descent  of  Avemus  is  easy ;  the  gate  of  Pluto  stands  open 
night  and  day  ;  but  to  retrace  one's  steps  and  return  to  the  upper 
air,  —  that  is  the  toil,  that  the  difficulty. 

No.  15.    Page  355. 
Uno  avulso  non  deficit  alter.  —  Virgil. 
When  one  is  torn  away  another  succeeds. 

No.  16.    Page  355. 
Tu  ne  cede  malis,  sod  contra  audentior  ito.  —  Virgil. 
Yield  thou  not  to  adversity,  but  press  on  the  more  bravely. 

No.  17.    Pago  376. 

Quadrupedante  putrem  sonitu  quatit  ungula  campum.  —  Virgil. 

Then  struck  the  hoofs  of  the  steeds  on  the  groiind  with  a  four- 
footed  trampling. 

No.  18.    Page  380. 

Stemitur  infelix  alieno  vulnere,  ccelumque 

Adspicit  et  moriens  dulces  reminiscitur  Argos.  —  Virgil. 

He  falls,  unhappy,  by  a  wound  intended  for  another  ;  looks  up 
to  the  skies,  and  dying  remembers  sweet  Argos. 


f.\ : 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Absyrtus,  190. 
Aby'dos,  147. 
Ace'tes,  223. 
Acha'tes,  375. 
Achelo'us,  243. 
Achilles,  289. 
Acis,  284. 
Acon'teus,  168. 
Actaeon,  53. 
Adme'ta,  200. 
Adme'tus,  246. 
Ado'nis,  95. 
Adrastus,  249. 
JE'acus,  133. 
^e'tes,  181. 
^ge'us,  208. 
-Sgis,  162. 
JEgisthus,  315. 
JEne'as,  290-346. 
^'olus,  324-350. 
-Escula'pius,  177,  397. 
JEson,  186. 
Ethiopians,  12-66. 
JEthra,  208. 
Agame'des,  396. 
Agamemnon,  290-315. 
Aga've,  226. 
Age'nor,  129. 
Agla'ia,  20. 
Agni,  426. 
Ah'riinaii,  424. 


Ajax,  290-309. 
Alces'tis,,  246. 
Alci'des,  205. 
Alcin'o-us,  334. 
Alcme'na,  199. 
Alecto,  20. 

Alexander.    See  Paris. 
Alfa'dur,  439. 
Alphe'us,  85. 
Althoe'a,  191. 
Amaltlie'a,  245. 
Am'azons,  201,  211. 
Ambro'sia,  14. 
Ammon,  171. 
Amphiara'us,  249. 
Amphi'on,  158-263. 
Amphitri'te,  237. 
Ampyx,  168. 
Amri'ta,  427. 
Amymo'ne,  200. 
Anaxar'ete,  111. 
Ance'us,  193. 
Anchi'ses,  346. 
Andraj'mon,  94. 
Androm'ache,  290, 349. 
Androm'eda,  165 
Anemo'ne,  97. 
Antx'us,  203. 
Ante'a,  173. 
An'teros,  18. 
Antigone,  249. 


Antiope,  211-263. 
AnuTjis,  389. 
Aphrodi'te,  17. 
Apis,  392,  397. 
Apollo,  17,  35,  97. 
Aq'uilo,  241. 
Arach'ne,  149. 
Areas,  52. 
Areop'agus,  317. 
Ares,  17. 
Arethu'sa,  82. 
Argo,  181. 
Ar'gonauts,  181. 
Argus,  46,  181,  343. 
Ariad'ne,  210,  227. 
Arima'nes,  424. 
Arimas'pians,  179. 
Ari'on,  266. 
Aristee'us,  255,  259. 
Ar'temis,  17. 
Ascrae'an  —  Hesiod. 
Asgard,  438. 
Aske,  438. 
Astrae'a,  28. 
Asty'ages,  168. 
Atalan'ta,  191. 
Ate,  302. 
Atlan'tis,  365. 
Ath'amas,  180. 
Athe'ne,  18. 
Atlas,  163. 
(480) 


INDEX    OF   NAMKS. 


481 


At'ropos,  20. 
Audhum'bla,  437. 
Au'geas,  200. 
Aulis,  291. 
Auro'ra,  282. 
Auster,  241. 
Av'atar,  427. 
Bacchanals,  222. 
Bacchus,  19,  220. 
Bac'trian  sage  —  Zo- 
roaster. 
Baldur,  456. 
Bards,  470. 
Basilisk,  416. 
Baucis,  73. 
Beller'ophon,  173. 
Bello'na,  21. 
Beltane,  468. 
Ber'oe,  220. 
Bifrost,  438. 
Bo'reas,  241. 
Bragi,  441. 
Brahma,  426. 
Brazen  age,  28. 
Bria'reus,  170. 
Brise'is,  294. 
Buddha,  432. 
Byrsa,  352. 
Cacus,  203. 
Cadmus,  129. 
Cadu'ceus,  19. 
Cai'cus,  467. 
Cal'a-is,  241. 
Calchas,  291. 
Calli'ope,  19. 
Callisto,  50,  240. 
Cal'ydon,  191. 
Calypso,  331. 
Came'nse,  240. 
Camilla,  371,  381. 
Cap'aneus,  250. 
Cassandra,  313. 
Cassiopeia,  165. 
Castes,  429. 

41 


Castor,  217,  275. 
Ce'crops,  150. 
Ce'lcus,  80. 
Centaurs,  176. 
Ceph'alus,  43,  133. 
Ce'pheus,  165. 
Cer'berus,  203. 
Ce'res,  78. 
Cestus,  17,  296. 
Ce-yx,  100. 
Chaos,  24. 
Charon,  358. 
Charyb'dis,  328,  350. 
Chimx'ra,  173. 
Chiron,  177. 
Chryse'is,  294. 
Chryses,  294. 
Cir'ce,  88,  325. 
Clio,  19. 
Clotho,  20. 
Clym'ene,  59. 
Clyt'i-e,  146. 
Clytemnes'tra,  315. 
Cockatrice,  416. 
Columba,  472. 
Cornucopia,  245. 
Corybantes,  197. 
Cranes,  178. 
Creon,  251. 
Cre-u'sa,  189. 
Cromlech,  467. 
Cronos,  21. 
Cupid,  18,  115. 
Culdces,  473. 
Cy'ane,  80. 
Cyb'e-le,  197. 
Cyclo'pes,  247,320,349. 
Cyn'osure,  52. 
Cyrc'ne,  260. 
Dalai  Lama,  434. 
Dan'a-c,  152,  161, 275. 
Daphne,  35. 
Dar'danus,  348. 
Dwd'alus,  214. 


Dawn,  283. 
Deiph'obus,  290. 
Delos,  58,  347. 
Dejani'ra,  204,  243. 
Del'phi,  12,  395. 
Deme'ter,  19. 
Demod'ocus,  339. 
Deucalion,  30. 
Dia'na,  53. 
Dictys,  223. 
Dido,  351. 

^!°™^^'    1290,309. 
Diomcde,  ) 

Dio'ne,  17. 

Diony'sus,  19. 

Dioscu'ri,  218. 

Dirce,  263. 

Dis,  16,  84. 

Dodo'na,  395. 

Doris,  237. 

Druids,  466. 

Dryads,  230. 

Dry'opc,  93. 

Echo,  141. 

Edda,  437. 

Ege'ria,  240. 

Electra,  281,  316. 

Eleusis,  84. 

Eleusinian  mysteries, 

84. 
Elgin    marbles,    213, 

405. 
Elli,  453. 
Elves,  461. 
Elysium,  365. 
Embla,  438. 
Encel'adus,  170, 
Endym'ion,  278. 
Epidau'rus,  397- 
Epime'theus,  25. 
Epo'peus,  223. 
Er'ato,  19. 
Er'ebus  —  the  infernal 

regions. 


482 


INDEX   OP   NAMES. 


Erid'anus,  67. 
Eris,  288. 
Erisich'thon,  232. 
Erin'nyes,  20,  317. 
Eriph'yle,  249. 
Eros,  15. 
Ete'ocles,  249. 
Eumse'us,  341. 
Eumen'ides,   20,   274, 

316. 
Euphros'ync,  20. 
Euro'pa,  152. 
Eury'alus,  376. 
Euryd'ice,  255. 
Euryn'ome,  15. 
Eurys'theus,  199. 
Euryt'ion,  176. 
Eurus,  241. 
Euter'pe,  19. 
Evadne,  250. 
Evan'der,  372. 
Famine,  233. 
Fates,  20. 
Faunus,  21,  229. 
Favo'nius,  241. 
Fenris,  441. 
Flora,  22,  241. 
Freki,  439. 
Freyj  440. 
Freya,  441. 
Frigga,  456. 
Furies,  20,  273. 
Gal'ata;,  284. 
Gan'ymede,  207. 
Gautama,  432. 
Gem'ini,  218. 
Genius,  23. 
Geri,  439. 
Ger'yon,  201. 
Giallar  horn,  463. 
Giants,  170. 
Glaucus,  86,  290. 
Golden  fleece,  180. 
Golden  age,  27. 


Gordian  knot,  72. 
Gorgons,  161. 
Graces,  20. 
Grffise,  161. 
Griffin,  178. 
Guebers,  425. 
Hades,  203. 
Halcy'one,  100. 
Hffimon,  251. 
Hamad'ryads,  230. 
Harmo'nia,  132,  250. 
Harpies,  348. 
Harpoc-rates,  370. 
Hebe,  207. 
Hebrus,  257. 
Hec'ate,  186. 
Hector,  290. 
Hec'uba,  313. 
Heidrun,  439. 
Heimdal,  441. 
Hela,  441. 
Helen,  288,  314. 
Hel'enus,  349. 
Heli'ades,  68. 
Hel'icon,  65. 
Hellas,  12. 
Helle,  181. 
Hellespont,  181. 
Heph2cs'tus,  16. 
Hera,  16. 

Hercules,  199,  243. 
Hermes,  18. 
Hermod,  458. 
Hero,  147. 
Hespe'ria,  348. 
Hes'peris,  202. 
Hesper'ides,  201. 
Hes'pcrus,  202. 
Hestia,  22. 
Hindus,  426. 
Hippocre'ne,  173. 
Hippodami'a,  176. 
Hippol'yta,  201. 
Hippol'ytus,  211. 


Hippom'enes,  195. 
Hodur,  457. 
Homer,  408. 
Horns,  390. 
Hugi,  451. 
Hugin,  439. 
Hyacin'thus,  97. 
Hy'ades,  221. 
Hydra,  200. 
Hyge'ia,  239. 
Hylas,  185. 
Hymen,  255. 
Hyperbo'reans,  12. 

Hype'rion,  )  29. 

Hypen'on,  J 

lap'etus,  15. 

la'sius,  192. 

Ib'ycus,  271. 

Ic'arus,  214. 

Ica'rius,  252. 

Ida,  288. 

Idas,  218. 

Idu'na,  441. 

Iliad,  293. 

lli'oneus,  157. 

Ilion.    See  Troy. 

Indra,  426. 

Ino,  238. 

lo,  46. 

lob'ates,  173. 

lola'us,  200. 

I'ole,  94,  204. 

lo'na,  472. 

Iphigeni'a,  291,  317. 

Iphis,  111. 

Iph'itus,  204. 

Iris,  16,  103. 

Iron  age,  28. 

Isis,  389. 

Israe'nos,  157. 

Isthmian  games.  214. 

Ith'aca,  252,  340. 

Ixi'on,  2-56,  351. 

Janus,  22. 


INDEX    OP  NAMES. 


483 


Jason,  181. 
Jocasta,  172,  249. 
Jotunheim,  438. 
Jove,  15. 
Juggernaut,  428. 
Juno,  16;  46,  288. 
Ju'pitcr,  15. 
Lab'yrinth,  209. 
Lach'esis,  20. 
La'ius,  171. 
LtEstrigo'nians,  325. 
Lama,  434. 
Laoc'oOn,  311. 
Laodami'a,  292. 
Lap'ithce,  177. 
Lares,  22. 
Larva,  22. 
Lati'nus,  369. 
Latmos,  278. 
Lato'na,  56,  156. 
Lausus,  380. 
Lavin'ia,  369. 
Lean'der,  147. 
Leda,  152. 
Lemur,  22. 
Lesbian  —  Sappho. 
Lethe,  363. 
Leucothe'a,  238. 
Liber,  22. 
Libe'thra,  257. 
Lichas,  204. 
Linus,  264. 
Logi,  450. 
Loki,  441. 
Lotis,  94. 
Lotus  eaters,  320. 
Luci'na,  22. 
Ly'cabas,  223. 
Lycome'des,  211,  289> 
Lycus,  263. 
Lyn'ceus,  218. 
Majander,  214. 
Macon'ides.     See  Ho- 
mer. 


See 


Maia,  18. 
Magi,  424. 
Macha'on,  297. 
Mahade'va,  428. 
Mantu'an  swain 

Virgil. 
Manu,  427. 
Maro.    See  Virgil. 
Mars,  17. 
Mar'syas,  264. 
Mede'a,  180,  186. 
Medu'sa,  161. 
Megaj'ra,  20. 
Melampus,  265. 
Melan'thus,  223. 
Melca'ger,  191. 
Melicer'tes,  238. 
Melisseus,  245. 
Melpom'ene,  19. 
Memnon,  282. 
Menaj'cius,  250. 
Menela'us,  289,  314. 
Mentor,  332. 
Mercury,  18. 
Mcr'ope,  280. 
Metani'ra,  81. 
Metempsycho'sis,  364 
Metis,  16. 
Mezen'tius,  380. 
Midas,  69. 
Midgard,  437. 
Milky  way,  29. 
Milo,  389. 
Miner'va,  149,  288. 
Minos,  138,  209,  214. 
Min'otaur,  209. 
Mistletoe,  457,  469. 
Mnemos'yne,  15. 
Momus,  21. 
Monsters,  170. 
Mor'pheus,  105. 
Mul'ciber,  22. 
Musasus,  265. 
Muses,  19. 


Myr'raidons,  133. 
Na'iads,  239. 
Nanna,  460. 
Narcissus,  141, 
Nausic'aa,  334. 
Negus,  435. 
Ne'mean  lion,  200. 
Ne'mean  games,  214. 
Nem'esis,  20,  317. 
Neoptol'emus,  315. 
Neph'ele,  180. 
Nepenthe,  315. 
Neptune,  237. 
Nc'reids,  66,  237. 
Ne'reus,  66,  237. 
Nessus,  204. 
Nestor,  290. 
Nidhogge,  438. 
Niffleheim,  438. 
Ni'obe,  155. 
Nisus,  138,  376. 
Norns,  438. 
Numa,  240. 
Nysae'an  nymphs,221. 
Nymphs,  230. 
Oce'anus,  237. 
Odin,  437. 
CEd'ipus,  171,  249. 
Od'yssey,  308. 
(E'neus,  191. 
CEno'ne,  310. 
(Eno'pion,  280. 
(Eta,  205. 
Olympus,  13. 
Olympic  games,  213. 
Olympiads,  213. 
Om'phale,  204. 
Oracles,  394. 
Orcs'tes,  315. 
Orithyi'a,  241. 
Ori'on,  280. 
Or'pheus,  254. 
Ophi'on,  15. 
Ops,  197. 


484 


INDEX    OF   NAMES. 


O'reads,  230. 
Ormuzd,  424. 
Oromas'des,  424. 
Ossa,  171. 
Osi'ris,  389. 
Os'sian,  470. 
■  Ov'id,  410. 
Pactolus,  70. 
Paeon,  239. 
Palame'des,  289. 
Paloe'mon,  238. 
Pales,  22. 
Palinu'rus,  354. 
Palla'dium,  310. 
Pallas,  18,  373. 
Pan,  20,  71,  229. 
Panathenaj'a,  213. 
Pando'ra,  24. 
Parcse.    See  Fates. 
Pa'riahs,  431. 
Paris,  288. 
Parnas'sus,  30,  395. 
Parsees,  425. 
Par'thenon,  213. 
Patro'clus,  297. 
Peg'asus,  173. 
Peleus,  192. 
Pelias,  181,  247. 
Pelion,  171. 
Pena'tes,  22. 
Penel'ope,  252,  341. 
Pe'neus,  37. 
Penthesile'a,  308. 
Pen'theus,  222. 
Pe'plus,  213. 
Periander,  266. 
Periphe'tes,  203. 
Per'seus,  163. 
Perseph'one,  19. 
Phaeacians,  333. 
Phsedra,  211. 
Pha'eton,  59. 
Phaon,  276. 
Phile'mon,  73. 


Philocte'tes,  205,  309. 
Phin'eus,  167,  182. 
Phoebus,  17. 
Phoenix,  413. 
Phryxus,  181. 
Pirith'o-us,  176,  211. 
Ple'iads,  281. 
Plenty,  245. 
Plexip'pus,  193. 
Pluto,  78. 
Plutus,  21. 
Poli'tes,  313. 
Pollux,  217. 
Polydec'tes,  162. 
Pol'ydore,  347. 
Polyhym'nia,  19. 
Polyi'dus,  173. 
Polyni'ces,  249. 
Polyphe'mus,  321,  349. 
Polyx'ena,  308,  314. 
Pomo'na,  22,  42,  109. 
Portu'nus,  239. 
Posei'don,  16. 
Prester  John,  435. 
Pri'am,  290,  305. 
Pro'cris,  43. 
Proems 'tes,  209. 
Prome'theus,  24, 
Pros'erpine, 
Proser'pine 
Pro'teus,  238,  260. 
Protesila'us,  292. 
Psyche,  115. 
Pura'nas,  428. 
Pygmalion,  91,  351. 
Pygmies,  177. 
Pyl'ades,  316. 
Pyr'amus,  39. 
Pyrrha,  30. 
Pyrrhus,  313. 
Pythag'oras,  384. 
Pythla,  395. 
Pythian  games,  214. 
Python,  34, 


l\^'- 


Quiri'nus,  21. 
Rhadaman'thus,  360. 
Rhoecus,  236. 
Rhea,  15. 
Sabri'na,  263, 
Sakyasin'ha,  432. 
Salamander,  421, 
Sa'mian  sage,  384. 
Sappho,  276. 
Sagitta'rius,  177. 
Sarpe'don,  290,  298. 
Saturn,  15,  21. 
Satyrs,  20, 
Scylla,  87,  328, 
Sem'ele,  220. 
Sera'pis,  389, 
Shatry'a,  430. 
Sibyl,  356,  366. 
SichfEus,  3.52. 
Sile'nus,  69. 
Silver  age,  27. 
Simon'ides,  274. 
Sinon,  311. 
Sirens,  327. 
Sir'ius,  281. 
Siva,  428, 
Skimir,  446, 
Skrymir,  448, 
Skalds,  464, 
Skidbladnir,  462, 
Skuld,  438. 
Sleipnir,  458. 
Somnus,  104,  354. 
Sphinx,  171. 
Stonehenge,  467. 
Styx,  221. 
Syb'aris,  388. 
Sylva'nus,  110, 229. 
Sympleg'ades,  182. 
Syrinx,  48. 
Sys'iphus,  361. 
Sudra,  430. 
Surtur,  462. 
Surya,  426. 


INDEX    OP   NAMES. 


485 


Tan'talus,  156,  362. 
Tar'tarus,  36). 
Tauris,  291,  316. 
Tel'amon,  192. 
Telem'achus,  332,  341, 
Tellus,  186. 
Terra,  203. 
Ter 'minus,  21. 
Terpsich'ore,  19. 
Te'thys,  51,  237. 
Thali'a,  19. 
Tkam'yris,  264. 
Thebes,  130, 
Thisbe,  39. 
Themis,  20. 
Thersi'tes,  308. 
The'seus,  208. 
Thes'tius,  194. 
The'tis,  238, 295,  301. 
Thialfi,  447. 
Thes'celus,  168. 
Thor,  447. 


Thrym,  444, 
Tisiph'one,  360, 
Titans,  15,  25, 
Titho'nus,  282, 
Tire'sias,  250, 
Tit'yus,  170. 
Triptol'emus,  84. 
Triton,  238, 
Tropho'nius,  396, 
Troy,  288, 
Tox'eus,  193, 
Turnus,  369, 
Typhon,  78,  391, 
Tyr,  442, 

Ulysses,  252, 289,  319. 
Unicorn,  419. 
Urania,  19. 
Urdur,  438, 
Utgard,  449. 
Utgard-Loki,  449. 
Vaissya,  430. 
Valhalla,  438. 


Valkyr'ior,  440. 
Vedas,  427. 
Venus,  17,  95,  288. 
Verdandi,  438. 
Verturanus,  109. 
Vesta,  22, 
Virgil,  409. 
Vishnu,  427. 
Vulcan,  16, 
Vya'sa,  426. 
Winds,  241. 
Woden,  439. 
Wooden  horse,  310. 
Yama,  426. 
Ygdrasill,  438, 
Ymir,  437. 
Zendaves'ta,  423, 
Zeph'yrus,  99,  241. 
Zetes,  241. 
Zethus,  263. 
Zeus,  15. 
Zoroas'ter,  423. 


ANOTHER  WORK  BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 

HEBREW  LYRICS, 

OR 

SELECT  PSALMS,  ARRANGED  IN  THE  ORDER  OF  THE 
EVENTS   TO   WHICH   THEY   RELATE. 

WITH  INTRODUCTIONS  AND  NOTES  BY 
THOMAS   BULFINCH. 


At  first  view  this  volume  may  seem  to  have  little  affinity  Trith  the  preceding 
work ;  but  it  has  this  in  common  with  it.  —  it  aims  to  make  available  to  the  general 
reader  what  has  heretofore  been  the  exclusive  property  of  the  scholar.  The  labors 
of  learned  men  have  thrown  great  light  on  that  portion  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures 
to  which  this  volume  relates,  and  every  one,  whether  learned  or  unlearned,  is 
interested  in  the  results.  Tlie  following  testimonials  will  show  the  character 
of  the  work :  — 

From  Vie  SosUm  Traveller  of  22d  December,  1852. 

This  beautiful  little  volume  is  the  result  of  much  study  and  thought,  and  will 
be  a  welcome  offering  to  the  religious  public.  It  comprises  a  selection  of  about  one 
hundred  Psalms,  printed  in  the  form  of  poetry,  with  explanatory  introductions  and 
numerous  critical  notes. 

From  Professor  F.  D.  Huntittgdun,  of  Harvard  UnivertUy. 
The  deaigu  of  it  seems  to  me  legitimate  and  wholesome.  Neeu-ly  all  the  new 
readings  seem  to  me  decided  amendments,  and  many  of  them  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance. Perhaps  the  very  best  part  is  in  the  explanatory  accounts  of  the  Psalms, 
their  authorship,  and  the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  written.  1  admire 
the  purity  and  simplicity  of  style  in  all  these  introductory  notices. 


From  President  Walker,  of  Harvard  UnivertUy. 
I  cannot  conceive  of  a  better  book  to  be  read  in  the  daily  devotions  of  the  bmDy, 
—  the  Introduction  to  the  Psalm  and  the  Psalm  being  read  together. 

For  Sale  by  CROSBY,  NICHOLS  &  CO.,  and  SANBORN,  CARTER  4  BAZIN. 


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